Hyderabad: Low cost Ramzan packages spark ₹1 crore Umrah fraud row
HYDERABAD: More than 100 people have alleged they were cheated in an Umrah booking scam involving nearly ₹1 crore, after a tour operator promised low-cost packages but failed to deliver the services.
The matter surfaced after the victims approached Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan, who guided them to senior police officials and advised them to file complaints.
Syed Absaruddin, son of Syed Israruddin, a resident of Medak, has been named in multiple complaints. He allegedly operated through the Instagram account “tour_2_umrah” and targeted customers across the city.
Complainants said they were drawn by social media advertisements offering discounted Umrah packages ahead of Ramzan. Many had planned to undertake the pilgrimage during the holy month but alleged that no travel arrangements were made.
Victims take to social media
According to the victims, payments ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per person were collected. Some alleged that travel dates were changed at the last minute, while hotel booking documents shared with them were later found to be invalid.
Many said communication stopped after the payments were made.
As reported by Siasat, several victims took to social media to share their experiences. One person claimed to have lost ₹15 lakh after being persuaded to invest in the business, while others alleged losses of up to ₹7 lakh.
Another complainant alleged that visa applications were not filed and flight tickets were not arranged despite repeated assurances.
In a public notice issued on February 14, Tour 2 Umrah by Ahlan Private Limited said it had temporarily suspended operations in India until July 14, 2026. The company attributed the decision to financial and legal constraints, including the freezing of bank accounts following complaints.
The firm maintained that the suspension was temporary and assured customers that full refunds would be processed. It said refund disbursal may take time due to banking limitations and asked customers to communicate only through official channels.
The company also urged the public not to circulate “false allegations” and warned that defamatory content would be dealt with under applicable laws.
In a post on X, Khan cautioned the public against falling prey to unrealistic offers. He said the minimum expenditure for Umrah during Ramzan is around ₹1 lakh. He advised prospective pilgrims to verify the credentials of travel agents and avoid low-cost advertisements on social media.
The case has raised concerns over fraudulent pilgrimage packages and the need for stricter monitoring of travel operators.
