DAMMAM, 23 February 2004 — A Haj and Umrah tour operator who has allegedly swindled several hundred people out of their hard-earned money apparently repaid some of it after Arab News reported the scam.

Some of the victims say they have received half of the money they deposited with the company for a pilgrimage that never happened.

Farooq Sultan, an Indian national who works in Alkhobar in an office equipment company, had deposited SR2,560 for the pilgrimage. He was called to Tarout, some 35 km from here, by the owner of the company.

“When I arrived there he first asked for all the papers and receipts and then offered me half of the amount (SR1,280). He also asked me to sign a paper which said that he refunded the whole SR2,560.”

Sultan was initially hesitant to accept half amount but “the owner of the company started threatening me and said if I did not accept half the money I would forfeit the whole amount. I had no option but to take the money and sign the paper,” he said.

But Muhammad Ishaq of India who works in Dammam Industrial Area and had deposited SR4,500 for himself, his wife and two children, was not that fortunate. “I am pursuing the matter through official channels and have been running from one police station to another without any success,” he said.

Alkhobar police have confirmed that a case against the owner was registered on Jan. 29 under case number 894/317121. The police say the case has been transferred to Qatif since the owner of the company is from that area. However, Qatif police say that they have not yet received the case. “Maybe it is still in the post,” an officer at Qatif Police station told Muhammad Ishaq.

A number of people from Jubail, Qatif, Dammam and Alkhobar of various nationalities — Indian, Pakistani, Syrian, Egyptian and Saudis — deposited money with the company.

Sultan said the company’s owner told him that more than 600 people had deposited money with his company and he was in the process of returning their money.

Many expats and Saudis question the payment of 50 percent. They are also shocked at the apathy of the police. “Nothing is happening,” said Ishaq, who is determined to recover the full money. “Either I will take my all SR4,500 or nothing. I am not going to accept 50 percent and sign the rest away,” he said.