Thane, India — Hajj Pilgrimage: Police have registered a case against three owners of a travel agency for allegedly defrauding a local resident of ₹20.15 lakh under the pretext of arranging a Hajj pilgrimage for him and his family.
Hajj Pilgrimage Scam
According to the complaint filed at Mumbra Police Station on Sunday, the 53-year-old victim, a resident of Thane’s Mumbra area, was promised a complete Hajj tour package between 2018 and 2019. Despite making the full payment to the accused, the promised arrangements were never made, nor was the money returned.
Police sources revealed that the accused operated a travel agency in Amrut Nagar, Mumbra, where they accepted bookings from the complainant and his family for the Hajj pilgrimage. The complainant transferred ₹20.15 lakh to the agency’s account as part of the travel and accommodation package for the pilgrimage.
However, even after repeated assurances and follow-ups, the accused failed to provide any details regarding the pilgrimage schedule, visas, or travel arrangements. When the victim demanded a refund, the agency reportedly began avoiding communication altogether.
Following months of delays and no progress, the victim eventually approached the Mumbra Police, who initiated a formal investigation into the alleged Hajj pilgrimage fraud.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case against the three suspects under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (common intent) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Authorities have confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the exact flow of funds and whether more victims are involved in the case.
A senior investigating officer stated,
“The accused assured the complainant of managing the entire Hajj journey, including travel, accommodation, and religious arrangements. However, they failed to deliver any services after collecting the full payment. We are verifying their financial transactions and agency records.”
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Police sources added that the investigation team is also examining whether the accused have been involved in similar fraudulent activities targeting other families seeking Hajj pilgrimage packages in previous years.
The Hajj pilgrimage holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, and each year, thousands of Indian pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia to fulfill this religious duty. Due to the large number of applications and limited official quotas, many people depend on private travel operators to handle logistics. Unfortunately, incidents like this highlight how some fraudulent agencies exploit the faith and trust of pilgrims for financial gain.
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Officials have urged citizens to verify the credentials of travel operators through government-approved Hajj committees before making any payments.
As the investigation continues, Mumbra Police are reportedly preparing to summon the accused for questioning. Authorities are also coordinating with financial crime units to trace the diverted funds and recover the victim’s money.
This case serves as a critical reminder for all potential pilgrims to stay alert, conduct background checks, and ensure that any Hajj pilgrimage booking is made only through authorized and recognized channels.
