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Chicago travel agent jailed for scamming Hajj pilgrims
Wednesday, 20 Nov, 2015
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A Chicago travel agent who scammed Muslim travelers out of $1.3 million for Hajj trips that never existed has been jailed for more than nine years.
Rashid Minhas was described as ‘an accomplished con man’ who ‘intentionally defrauded the victims and caused them severe financial hardship.’
Minhas pocketed money from customers, then brazenly told them ‘God didn’t invite you,’ the court heard.
Many customers handed over life savings for the once-in-a-lifetime trips to Mecca, Saudia Arabia.
One victim, Mohammad Ali, who lost $20,000 said: "People who play with emotions using people’s religions should be put away for life."
U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman sentenced Minhas to 9 and a half years after being found guilty of seven fraud counts.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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