Nagpur: Tahsil police have registered a case of large-scale cheating against the operators of a private Haj and Umrah travel agency for allegedly duping 66 pilgrims of over Rs 57 lakh by promising Umrah tours to Saudi Arabia.

The complainant, Ashraf Ali s/o Abid Ali (30), a resident of Ganeshpeth, Nagpur, stated that he intended to travel to Mecca and Medina for Umrah. Through acquaintances, he contacted M.M. Haj and Umrah Tours and Travels, located at Timki, Mominpura.

The accused — Mohammad Ijaz Ahmed (55), Madiha Abish Ansari (24), Mohammad Safe Ejaz Ansari (26), the wife of Mohammad Ijaz Ahmed, and Syed Izhar Patel (45), all residents of Takiya area, Tahsil — allegedly conspired to gain the trust of the complainant and 65 other pilgrims.

The accused collected a total amount of Rs 57,23,000 through online transfers and cash but neither arranged the Umrah pilgrimage nor refunded the amount, thereby committing criminal breach of trust and financial fraud.

Following the complaint, Tahsil police registered a case under Sections 318(4), 316(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case is being investigated by PSI Sushant Bhagat. Further probe is underway.