The Passports Department in Taif has levied a SR4-million fine against a Saudi owner of a Tawafa establishment office in the Eastern Province. The amount is considered to be a record figure in the department's fines register. An informed source said that Taif Passports Department, in coordination with its counterpart in the Eastern Province, is completing procedures for collecting the money. The office had signed contracts with 400 people who wanted to perform Haj last year, giving them the impression that the owner would get them Haj permits until the last day. He then tried to get them to pass through the Meeqat at Al-Sail Al-Kabir that links Taif with Makkah. The man's deception was uncovered when a security unit stopped the buses at the checkpoint in Al-Sail and learned that the pilgrims were not holding Haj permits. The pilgrims were transferred to the Passports Department, which arrested the office owner and issued its verdict to fine him SR4 million.
