Travel scam allegations involving company with religious image

SHAH ALAM - Several customers have claimed they were duped by a travel company allegedly run by individuals portraying a pious image, after paying for hotel bookings that never materialised.

The victim, who wished to be known only as Qistina, 42, said she made a payment of more than RM400 to the company in May last year after coming across a low-priced advertisement on Threads for hotel bookings in Kuala Lumpur and Desaru.

“Initial payment arrangements for a two-day, one-night hotel stay were made to one of the company’s staff members.

“But when I tried to confirm the booking, I was given various excuses. Each time I contacted them, I was told that someone else was handling it,” she said when contacted by Sinar on Sunday.

Qistina said that up until now, nearly a year later, her WhatsApp messages requesting a refund remain unanswered.

She said after sharing her experience on social media, she was shocked to find many others came forward claiming they were also victims of the same company.

“I shared my experience on social media. Apparently, many people commented that they were also victims of the same company,” said the private sector employee.

Meanwhile, another victim, Nurain, 35, also claimed she was scammed of more than RM500 by the same company for a stay at a luxury hotel in Penang.

Nurain said she was attracted by a cheap offer for a five-day, four-night stay and made payment in January 2025 after communicating with a female staff member from the company.

“However, the staff later told me she was no longer handling the booking and asked me to deal with a male staff member instead,” she said.

She added that her disappointment peaked when upon attempting to check in at the hotel on November 7, 2025, the hotel informed her that the booking number provided was invalid and had been cancelled a few days earlier.

“I was very upset because I had already promised my children a holiday,” she said.

Nurain said she has yet to receive any refund despite repeated attempts to contact the company through WhatsApp.

“I saw on social media that many others have also fallen victim to the same company,” she said.

A Sinar review of social media posts found that the issue involving the company has become a hot topic among users, with some claiming that the company is now operating under different names once it gained attention.

There were also claims from individuals previously linked to the company that those involved were once known within certain circles associated with religious activities.