Travel Agent Allegedly Cheated Customers Out of $525K in Religious Trip Scam

A travel agent has been arrested in Chicago for alleged mail fraud selling Hajj packages to at least 50 customers.

Rashid Minhas, a 42-year-old travel agent from Chicago, was arrested and charged with mail fraud on December 18 for allegedly cheating at least 50 customers out of $525,000. Minhas told his customers he sold travel packages for the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, that included visa fees to Saudi Arabia—although he allegedly knew full well that his company could not obtain the visas.

According to the charges, Minhas’ travel agency, Light Star Hajj, sold packages to at least 50 customers.

Minhas then deposited the money ($525,000) into Light Star Hajj’s bank accounts and commingled the funds with other deposits. The charges say that Minhas took the money without ever actually intending to secure visas for his customers’ trips. Minhas used the money for partial refunds to customers, personal expenses, cash withdrawals, money transfers to Pakistan and checks sent to his ex-wife.

Adult Muslims are religiously required to attend the Hajj at least once during their life, as long as they are physically and financially able to do so. This visit to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, draws about two million Muslims each year.

Minhas was arrested by the FBI at his home on the north side of Chicago, and the Bureau also conducted a search at his business. He faces a potential twenty year maximum prison sentence and fines up to $250,000 if convicted. Prior to owning Light Star Hajj, Minhas operated City Travel & Tours out of his Chicago office.

[Photos: iStock; ABC7 Chicago]