The General Directorate of Public Security (GDPS) in Saudi Arabia has warned that anyone caught transporting people without permits to the holy city of Makkah will be subject to imprisonment for a period of up to 6 months and a fine of up to SR50,000 (USD 13,333) for each person transported.

The GDPS pointed out that the financial fine would multiply with the number of violators transported.

In addition to the financial penalty, the carrier could also face confiscation of the vehicle used for transportation based on a court ruling and, in the case of expatriates, deportation after serving the prison term and payment of the fine. The expatriate will be denied entry into the Kingdom in the future for periods specified by the law.

The GDPS also called on citizens and residents to abide by the regulations and instructions of Hajj and Umrah, warning at the same time against fake Hajj campaigns.

It called on them to report any such campaigns by calling the numbers 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 in the rest of the Kingdom.