Government officials shut down a crooked Hajj travel company that scammed religious pilgrims out of millions of taka. Religious Affairs Ministry bosses yanked the license from Salam Abad Travels after the agency failed to send paying customers to Saudi Arabia for their holy pilgrimage. The Jamalpur-based company collected over 26 lakh taka from six desperate pilgrims who wanted to perform Hajj in 2024. Company representative Syed Abu Talha took all their money but never arranged their trips to Mecca. When angry customers demanded refunds, Talha made scary threats and dragged his feet on payments.
Local arbitrators forced Talha to cough up some cash last July but he still owes victims over 13 lakh taka. Ministry officials held multiple hearings where Talha promised to pay back the missing money by January 2025. The slippery businessman signed written agreements but kept breaking his word about returning the stolen funds. Religious Affairs Secretary received fresh complaints from frustrated pilgrims who lost their life savings to the scam operation. Government investigators found the company violated multiple sections of the Hajj and Umrah Management Act through fraud and intimidation.
Ministry bosses gave Salam Abad Travels exactly 30 working days to pay back every remaining penny to the cheated pilgrims. If the company refuses to pay up, officials will grab money from their security deposit to compensate the victims. The license cancellation sends a strong message that crooked Hajj operators cannot steal from faithful Muslims without facing serious consequences.
Local arbitrators forced Talha to cough up some cash last July but he still owes victims over 13 lakh taka. Ministry officials held multiple hearings where Talha promised to pay back the missing money by January 2025. The slippery businessman signed written agreements but kept breaking his word about returning the stolen funds. Religious Affairs Secretary received fresh complaints from frustrated pilgrims who lost their life savings to the scam operation. Government investigators found the company violated multiple sections of the Hajj and Umrah Management Act through fraud and intimidation.
Ministry bosses gave Salam Abad Travels exactly 30 working days to pay back every remaining penny to the cheated pilgrims. If the company refuses to pay up, officials will grab money from their security deposit to compensate the victims. The license cancellation sends a strong message that crooked Hajj operators cannot steal from faithful Muslims without facing serious consequences.
