A retired employee of the District Supply Office in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur district has alleged that he was cheated of ₹12.17 lakh on the pretext of arranging a private Haj pilgrimage. Police have registered a case against two accused and launched an investigation into the alleged fraud.
According to the complaint, Jameel Ahmad, a resident of Khatakalan village in the Milak area, regularly visited Moti Masjid near Nodara Chowki for prayers, where he came into contact with the mosque’s imam, Khwaja Ahmad Qari, and his associate, Imran. After learning that Jameel Ahmad and his wife, Phool Bi, had been unable to secure a Haj pilgrimage through the government quota, the accused allegedly offered to arrange the pilgrimage privately.
The complainant alleged that the accused gradually gained his confidence and collected money in the name of travel arrangements. Between May and June 2026, he allegedly paid around ₹9 lakh in cash after using his lifetime savings, pension benefits, proceeds from the sale of land, and money raised by selling his wife’s gold earrings.
He further alleged that, at the accused’s insistence, he organised a farewell feast for relatives and villagers on May 14 before the proposed pilgrimage, spending nearly ₹2.50 lakh. The accused also allegedly took a goat worth around ₹17,000 and other household items valued at approximately ₹50,000 from his residence. The total financial loss was estimated at ₹12.17 lakh.
According to the complaint, the accused later sent flight tickets to the victim’s son through WhatsApp but subsequently deleted them, claiming the booking had been cancelled. As the departure date was repeatedly postponed, the tickets were verified at a café and were found to be forged.
The complainant alleged that when he demanded the return of his money and passports, the accused refused, abused him, and threatened to implicate him in false police cases.
Based on the complaint, city police registered an FIR against Khwaja Ahmad Qari and Imran under relevant provisions relating to cheating and other offences. Police said the allegations are being investigated, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings.
