MUMBAI: Twenty-two Hajj pilgrims from Amravati faced heartbreak at Mumbai International Airport on July 21 after immigration authorities discovered they were holding fake visas. The group, which had collectively paid nearly ₹15 lakh for their pilgrimage, could not board their flight and is now seeking justice after a travel agent was arrested for the fraud.
Airport Officer’s Observation Sparks Investigation
The fraud came to light during routine checks at the airport when Immigration Officer Ganesh Gawli flagged irregularities in the documents presented by the group. All visa numbers were found to be nearly identical, raising suspicion. Further inspection of barcode data revealed that although the visas bore different names, each was digitally linked to the same individual, Qureshi.
The group, which had travelled to Mumbai from Amravati, was detained for questioning. They revealed that their local coordinator in Amravati had helped them arrange the Hajj package through a Kurla-based travel agency named Al Izma Tours, run by Sohail Khan.
Agent Arrested, Wider Fraud Suspected
On learning of the scam, Gawli promptly contacted the Mumbai Police, who initiated an FIR against Khan on charges of cheating and fraud. Khan was later arrested. Authorities suspect this may not be an isolated incident and are examining records to identify whether additional pilgrims may have been defrauded using similar methods.
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The 22 pilgrims, many of whom had saved for years to undertake the religious journey, are now left with financial loss and emotional devastation. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to trace the money and determine the full scope of the fraud.