United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Chicago travel agent jailed for scamming Hajj pilgrims
Thursday, 20 Nov, 2015
0
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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision
JetBlue scraps London Gatwick flights