Five dupe 66 Umrah pilgrims of Rs57L

Nagpur: Five persons running a travel agency in the city were charged with allegedly duping 66 people of over Rs57 lakh by promising to arrange Umrah pilgrimage, but failing to send even a single person and refusing to refund the money.The fraud came to light after Ashraf Ali (30), a resident of Ganeshpeth, lodged a detailed complaint at Tehsil police station. According to the FIR, Ashraf contacted a tour and travel agency located at Timki, Mominpura, through acquaintances, to perform Umrah.
The agency, police said, won the trust of Ashraf and 65 other aspiring pilgrims by assuring them of complete arrangements including visas, flights, accommodation, and other formalities. Between 2024 and early 2025, the accused allegedly collected a total Rs57 lakh from the victims through online transactions as well as cash payments.However, when the promised dates for departure arrived, none of the pilgrims were sent, and repeated requests for refunds were allegedly ignored, prompting Ashraf to approach the police.Acting swiftly on the complaint, Tehsil police station registered a case against five accused — Mohammad Ijaz Ahmed (55), Madiha Abish Ansari (24), Mohammad Safe Ejaz Ansari (26), the wife of Mohammad Ejaz Ahmed, and Syed Izhar Patel (45) — all residents of Takia, Tehsil area.The case was registered under Sections 318(4), 316(2), and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (corresponding to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and common intention).Sub-Inspector Sushant Bhagat is investigating the matter. Police sources said the investigation team is now tracing the money trail, bank accounts, and possible involvement of other associates. Police authorities appealed to any other victims who may have been similarly cheated by the same agency to come forward and record their statements.Senior police officials advised devotees to approach only govt-recognised agencies or those empanelled with the Haj Committee of India for such religious journeys.