Updated 06.03.09 at 23:43 pm
On Thursday 13th November 2008, police raided the offices of Qibla Hajj Kafela Ltd (a rogue travel agent, based off Brick Lane in London) that conned over 400 pilgrims of fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam - going to Hajj.
The travel agent owned by Al-Haj Md. Faruk Ahmed was offering one of the cheapest Hajj Packages available this year (£2,300 and £2,500 for Hajj). He falsely claimed to be an authorised agent approved by the Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia and his words to reassure people regarding the package made pilgrims trust him and his fellow workers.
Picture of Md. Faruk Ahmed
Faruk Ahmed's business card
Poster that he distributed - Click on image to make it bigger.
Qibla Hajj Kafela Ltd was registered as a trading company by Md. Faruk Ahmed on 06.08.2008. He previously worked in a group called Al Qibla Travels Limited (a Ministry of Hajj authorised agent) in previous years and due to some dispute went his separate ways. It must be noted that although there is no business association between the two companies there is alledged family association.
Suspicions arose when pilgrims who paid their monies went to collect their passports and tickets from his office at an agreed pickup date and found out that the office was closed with a notice sign on the door. Md. Faruk Ahmed and his staff were nowhere to be seen. Police raided the office and confiscated hundreds of passports and other documents from locked cupboards. It is estimated that this con artist could have made away with up to £700,000. He is nowhere to be seen. If you spot him and his crew please contact the police immediately.
Arrests will be made as people like this cannot hide forever, the world is small place. I just hope for his own safety the police catch him before any of the pilgrims he conned do.
Here's a report in Bengali taken from WeeklyBangladesh. Click on image to make it bigger.
Here is a video report from BBC News - CLICK HERE!
Here is a press release by Al-Qibla Travels - CLICK HERE!
Here is a report in Asian News - CLICK HERE!
The Metropolitan Police have set up a helpline for all those who have been a victim of this crime. To report an incident or to gain updates call 0208 217 4947/8 or contact The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK on 0121 440 1700 for further help and advice.
Poster that he distributed - Click on image to make it bigger.
Qibla Hajj Kafela Ltd was registered as a trading company by Md. Faruk Ahmed on 06.08.2008. He previously worked in a group called Al Qibla Travels Limited (a Ministry of Hajj authorised agent) in previous years and due to some dispute went his separate ways. It must be noted that although there is no business association between the two companies there is alledged family association.
Suspicions arose when pilgrims who paid their monies went to collect their passports and tickets from his office at an agreed pickup date and found out that the office was closed with a notice sign on the door. Md. Faruk Ahmed and his staff were nowhere to be seen. Police raided the office and confiscated hundreds of passports and other documents from locked cupboards. It is estimated that this con artist could have made away with up to £700,000. He is nowhere to be seen. If you spot him and his crew please contact the police immediately.
Arrests will be made as people like this cannot hide forever, the world is small place. I just hope for his own safety the police catch him before any of the pilgrims he conned do.
Here's a report in Bengali taken from WeeklyBangladesh. Click on image to make it bigger.
Here is a video report from BBC News - CLICK HERE!
Here is a press release by Al-Qibla Travels - CLICK HERE!
Here is a report in Asian News - CLICK HERE!
The Metropolitan Police have set up a helpline for all those who have been a victim of this crime. To report an incident or to gain updates call 0208 217 4947/8 or contact The Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK on 0121 440 1700 for further help and advice.
If there is a victims groups set up or if you want to set one up please let me know and I will post it here.
Additionally if there are any additional photographs of this person and his group members as well as any other details such as his address in UK, Bangladesh or any other possible destinations where he could be hiding would be useful. You can email me in confidence info@al-islam.co.uk or post a comment anonymously in the comments section below. Remember any useful info should also be reported to the police - lets not let these crooks get away!
If you have intentions to go to Hajj then please see List of approved pilgrim agents
For those who have intentions of doing Hajj this year – may Allah (SWT) make your intentions come true and protect you throughout your journey and back – Ameen
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UPDATES:
UPDATES:
On 25 November 2008: UK Channel S held a telephone interview with Md. Faruk Ahmed (who was somewhere in Bangladesh). He stated that he was unable to obtain the visas for the pilgrims (apparently was let down by a Gujarati person who was going to arrange the visas) and because he feared backlash from the pilgrims (i.e. unable to take them to the hajj trip) he panicked (couldn't think straight) and fled to Bangladesh.
He said that he has realised his mistake and hopes to come back to the UK and start returning the monies that people had deposited with him (that is if and when all the pilgrims collectively ask for their money back). He will pay back by looking at the receipts he issued to the pilgrims.
In total he stated that he had taken approximately 308 passports. He had collected about £350,000 (not the £700,000 widely suggested) as not everyone paid the monies in full. Out of that he still has approx. £263,000. The difference had been spent on expenses running the travel agency and deposit paid for the hotels in Saudi Arabia.
He has asked the pilgrims for their forgiveness as that is the only way he can be redeemed.
LATEST NEWS
On 05 March 2009: Mohammed Faruk Ahmed aged 41 ys of Brick Lane, E1 appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court today (Thursday 5 March) following an investigation into hundreds of complaints from members of the public. He is charged with Fraud by false representation and Money laundering under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002. He was remanded in custody to reappear at Thames Magistrates on April 2 2009 - Taken from MetPolice update page.
He said that he has realised his mistake and hopes to come back to the UK and start returning the monies that people had deposited with him (that is if and when all the pilgrims collectively ask for their money back). He will pay back by looking at the receipts he issued to the pilgrims.
In total he stated that he had taken approximately 308 passports. He had collected about £350,000 (not the £700,000 widely suggested) as not everyone paid the monies in full. Out of that he still has approx. £263,000. The difference had been spent on expenses running the travel agency and deposit paid for the hotels in Saudi Arabia.
He has asked the pilgrims for their forgiveness as that is the only way he can be redeemed.
LATEST NEWS
On 05 March 2009: Mohammed Faruk Ahmed aged 41 ys of Brick Lane, E1 appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court today (Thursday 5 March) following an investigation into hundreds of complaints from members of the public. He is charged with Fraud by false representation and Money laundering under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 2002. He was remanded in custody to reappear at Thames Magistrates on April 2 2009 - Taken from MetPolice update page.
Below is an article in the London Bangla newspaper - dated 06 March 2009.
Click on the image to make it bigger.
Click on the image to make it bigger.
8 comments:
my grandma has been been affected by this con he has taken 4800 pounds and she wants justice also she had it done from someone who she knows (not relative) and he won't accept any responsibility for the loss. also i think he still holds 50% of the full amount as you only have 2 give 50% deposit jazakallah
Assalamu-Alaikum, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmas case. I am not sure what you can do to the person who recommended this travel agent - maybe ask him to provide a receipt of payments made to the Qibla Hajj Kalefa so as to show the police. This receipt should have the breakdown of the costs.
Let me know of any developments.
I have relatives (group of 12) that were affected - that is why I am taking this personally. I have just been to Bow Road Police Station and they have informeed me that they have confiscated over 400 passports from the Qibla Hajj Kafela office!
If you hear of any developments in this case or have any news of Md. Faruk Ahmed - please let me know so that I can share the info with other people who have been affected. Insha-Allah, together we as a group can bring Justice for all the pilgrims.
Assalamu-Alaikum
I was affected by this scam, I was recommended this guy by my Bro-in-Law who was a personal friend of the agent.
I met him, he a 40ish year old guy, Full beard, cap and traditional asian clothing, he had been Hajj 8 TIMES, quite a pious guy, he even recited all the Surahs I had to learn, I just can't believe he actually ran off with everyones money.
I paid £4800, for me and as a Gift to my father, I was in shock when i heard the news.
Naturally I don't wish bad things upon people but I do hope this guy does suffer in this life or hereafer.
Brother T
ASAK, Brother T, sorry to hear about your situation. It is unthinkable on what has happened to all of us. Please keep me informed on any developments.
If you are able to extract some info about Faruk Ahmed from your brother in law that would be appreciated e.g. his bari in Bangladesh as I have relatives back home who will be making inquries. You can contact me via email in confidence.
Salamz Ppl, HAHAHA they caught this git, he must have underestimated the power of the police or sumthing, he claims he going to give us our money back, we will see...he said he ran to dhaka cos he didn't get the visas, well you wouldn't do would you, if you ain't registered with the ministry of Hajj, he asked for our forgiveness, I'm sure the people with give him something, I doubt it will be forgiveness...
Brother T
b Where was he caught? and which police station is dealing with it?
Bow?? Any updates??
Bow Police station are dealing with this case
Bengali Officer called Razrul Hannan is in charge, word is that he is gone or going to dhaka to get this guy.
Channel S is kinda slow man, I heard rumours they caught him a few days ago, Apparently the Bangladeshi Authorities saw a very large amount of cash in is accont and he bought a brand hew house in Dhaka which arose some supscisions..but then again this is word I get from Brick Lane, but it was right this time.
Brother T
Brother T, keep us informed of the latest happenings of this saga. Unfortunately Channel S seems to be the only media reporting this issue. Your help (and anyone else reporting on this) is greatly appreciated.
Last time I spoke to Bow Road Police station most of the pilgrims had recovered their passports – Bow Road had 9 remaining at the station as of last week (old news). However there are still a few people missing their passports – I know 4 people in my group of 12 still missing their passports. I pray that those that recovered their passports have found alternative travel agents – I know a few Ministry of Hajj approved agents (and ATOL bonded) were selling their last remaining tickets for £2,100. I pray that those that are not able to go this year have their intentions willed by Allah (SWT) to go next year.
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