Agency owners prosecuted in multi-million pound Hajj fraud
Three men behind a travel firm have been prosecuted for a multi-million pound fraud where they falsely claimed to be licensed to sell package trips to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage.
Leicester-based Al Shafqat Hajj fraudulently used stationary containing the symbols of both Atol and Iata in its business specialising in selling trips to the holy Muslim site.
Raja Shafqat Hussain (62), his son Raja Akeel Hussain (31) and son-in-law Khuram Shahzad (30) were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006, and for breaching the Package Travel Regulations at an earlier hearing, LeicesterLive reported.
Customers also complained to Leicester City Council Trading Standards and to the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK, about “poor quality, dirty and dangerous” accommodation and transport.
Raja Shafqat Hussain pleaded guilty to five offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and one offence under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
Raja Akeel Hussain admitted to four offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and one offence under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.