BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
A viral message claims that applications for the “Mohammed Bin Salman Free Hajj Sponsorship 2025” are now open, offering free transport and accommodation for 750,000 Muslims who cannot afford Hajj. The message directs users to a suspicious website: https://Yataqadam.hajj-giveout.buzz.
Verdict:
False. This is a recurring scam that resurfaces annually. FactCheckAfrica and other verification platforms have debunked similar claims in past years. The Saudi government has not announced any such sponsorship program, and the provided link is a suspected phishing website designed to steal users’ personal information.
Full Text
A message circulating widely on social media and WhatsApp claims that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is offering free Hajj sponsorship for 2025. The scheme allegedly covers transport and accommodation for 750,000 Muslims who are unable to afford the pilgrimage. The message includes a registration link and urges people to apply immediately, claiming that successful applicants are already receiving passports.
Similar versions of this claim have surfaced in previous years, often with minor changes to the wording and website address. However, FactCheckAfrica’s investigation reveals that this claim is entirely false and a well-documented scam.
Verification
Upon verification, FactCheckAfrica found the following:
- No Official Announcement: A review of official Saudi sources, including the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the official website of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shows no mention of any such free sponsorship scheme. Major international media outlets and verified government sources have not reported any such initiative.
- Suspicious Website: The link provided in the viral message (https://Yataqadam.hajj-giveout.buzz) is a phishing website. Unlike legitimate government portals, this site has no connection to Saudi authorities and is designed to collect personal details from unsuspecting applicants. Past versions of similar scams have been used to harvest sensitive information, including passport details, which could lead to identity theft or financial fraud.
- Recurring Scam: This same disinformation campaign has circulated in previous years. In 2023 and 2022, similar fake messages claimed Saudi authorities were offering free Hajj sponsorships. Fact-checking organizations, including FactCheckAfrica, debunked those claims. The consistency of this scam across different years indicates that fraudsters are repeatedly using the Hajj season to deceive people.
- Saudi Hajj Regulations: Hajj sponsorships and financial aid for pilgrims are usually arranged through official government or recognized Islamic organizations. Any legitimate free Hajj program would be publicized through official channels, not random social media messages.
Conclusion
The claim that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is sponsoring 750,000 Muslims for free Hajj in 2025 is false. This is a recurring scam designed to deceive individuals into providing personal details through a fraudulent website.
