Hajj Scam: 22 Amravati Pilgrims Duped with Fake Visas

In a disturbing case of religious travel fraud, a Mumbai-based travel agent has been arrested for duping 22 Hajj pilgrims from Amravati by issuing them fake Saudi visas. The group, who had each paid over ₹65,000 for their pilgrimage, were stopped at Mumbai airport after immigration officials discovered discrepancies in their travel documents.

Fake Visas, Real Betrayal

The pilgrims had booked their travel through Al Izma Tours, operated by Sohail Khan in Mumbai’s Kurla area. Upon arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on July 21, immigration officer Ganesh Gawli became suspicious of the group’s documents. All visa barcodes were linked to a single individual, indicating forgery and identity misuse.

Airport authorities immediately halted the group’s departure, prompting police to launch an investigation. The pilgrims, many of whom had spent their life savings to fulfill their religious duty, were left devastated.

Agent in Custody, Investigation Underway

The Mumbai Police arrested Sohail Khan on charges of cheating, fraud, and forgery. An FIR has been registered under IPC Sections related to criminal breach of trust and misrepresentation. Authorities are also probing the role of a local agent from Amravati who facilitated the bookings.

“We suspect this may be part of a larger racket involving fake travel documents targeting Hajj and Umrah pilgrims,” said a senior officer from Mumbai Crime Branch.

Repeat Offenses, Nationwide Trend

This case adds to a growing list of Hajj-related scams reported across India. In recent years, several unlicensed operators have been booked for defrauding vulnerable pilgrims, exploiting their lack of awareness and trust in informal networks.

In 2024, a similar scam in Odisha saw over 180 pilgrims cheated of ₹1.2 crore, while a 2019 case in Mumbai involved ₹4 crore siphoned through fake Umrah packages.

Authorities Urge Caution

Officials from the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Maharashtra Hajj Committee have urged pilgrims to book only through government-approved tour operators. All legitimate Hajj visas are issued through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia, with verification systems in place for both online and airport checks.

What Pilgrims Should Do

• Verify operators with Hajj Committee or MEA listings
• Avoid cash transactions, insist on receipts and written contracts
• Check visa numbers and barcodes using official platforms before departure
• Report suspicious agents to local police or minority welfare boards

Conclusion:
This case is a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of spiritual travelers to exploitation. As authorities tighten regulations and scrutiny, pilgrims are advised to exercise vigilance and work only with licensed, transparent travel agencies to avoid such heartbreaking setbacks.