News

Feds: Chicago travel agent bilked pilgrims

Posted December 19, 2014 12:01 am

Associated Press

A Chicago travel agent is accused of cheating more than 50 Muslim pilgrims by selling them package trips to Mecca without the required Saudi Arabian visas.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports (http://bit.ly/1zaaJeP ) 42-year-old Rashid Minhas was arrested at his Chicago home Thursday on mail fraud charges. A complaint says the deception cost customers $525,000.

The complaint says Minhas lied when he told customers headed to the Hajj pilgrimage that package deals included visas. Prosecutors say Minhas' Light Star Hajj Group didn't have authorization to obtain the visas.

Muslims who can afford it and are physically able are obliged to take the Hajj pilgrimage at least once.

If convicted, Minhas faces a maximum 20-year prison term.

There's no public telephone listing for Minhas. A phone message left at his company wasn't returned.

---

Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index

Article Comments

Article Categories
Chicago Cook County Counties Illinois News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.