The Importance of Haj Pilgrimage
The Haj pilgrimage holds profound significance in the Islamic faith. As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Haj is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey. The pilgrimage, performed in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, is a spiritual journey of immense importance, symbolizing unity, humility, and devotion to Allah. Millions of Muslims across the globe aspire to perform Haj, and specialized travel agencies play a crucial role in organizing these sacred trips.
However, the spiritual aspirations of many devotees in India were shattered when a fraudulent Haj tour operation came to light, causing both financial and emotional distress for hundreds of Muslims.
The Haj Pilgrimage Fraud: A Rs 1.2 Crore Scam
On September 27, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha arrested a man named Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh from Mumbai in connection with a massive Haj pilgrimage fraud worth Rs 1.2 crore. The accused was brought to Bhubaneswar for further investigation after being presented before a court in Andheri, Mumbai. This case was initially registered based on a complaint filed by Mir Khursid from Bhadrak district, Odisha. The complaint alleged that a travel agency named Al-Adam Tour & Travels, owned by Firdos Bi Abdul Mubin Shaikh and her family members, had defrauded 189 prospective pilgrims.
From 2019 to 2023, the agency allegedly collected between Rs 45,786 and Rs 50,786 per individual from Muslim devotees, promising to arrange Umrah pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia. However, the agency neither organized the promised trips nor refunded the collected funds.
Modus Operandi: Deceptive Tactics to Attract Pilgrims
The investigation revealed that the accused proprietors of Al-Adam Tour & Travels had actively promoted their fraudulent services through social media, distributing leaflets with attractive packages and contact details. Their advertisements claimed to offer secure and affordable pilgrimage tours to Mecca and Medina. To build trust, the agency had previously organized successful pilgrimages, leading devotees to believe in their authenticity.
Motivated by these promises, many Muslims from districts such as Bhadrak, Balasore, and Baripada in Odisha transferred funds to the agency’s accounts, either via bank transfers, UPI payments, or cash. However, by mid-2023, the agency cut off all communication, switched off their phones, and vanished without arranging the pilgrimages or returning the money.
Failed Refunds and the Unfolding of the Scam
As the fraud unfolded, several victims who demanded refunds were issued cheques, but these were dishonoured by the banks. Despite numerous attempts, the depositors failed to trace the whereabouts of the agency’s office or its proprietors, leading them to report the scam to authorities.
With Nabeel Abdul Mubin Shaikh in custody, the EOW continues its investigation, with plans to produce him before the designated court in Balasore. The crackdown on this fraudulent operation serves as a warning to other unscrupulous travel agencies preying on the religious sentiments of vulnerable pilgrims.
A Cautionary Tale for Pilgrims
The exposure of the Rs 1.2 crore Haj pilgrimage scam is a sobering reminder for prospective pilgrims to exercise caution when dealing with tour operators. The spiritual journey of Haj is deeply cherished, and unfortunately, some exploit this sacred aspiration for personal gain. It is crucial for pilgrims to thoroughly verify the credentials of agencies to ensure their dream of performing Haj is realized without falling victim to fraud.
(With inputs from agencies)
