Shahied Davids, the owner of a tour company in Cape Town accused of swindling Umrah pilgrims out of more than R1.2 million, appeared in court on Friday.
Also read: Alleged pilgrimage swindler arrested at Cape Town International Airport
The 58-year-old faced two counts of fraud in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court after more than 30 Muslim pilgrims reported that they each paid more than R35 000 to his company to go on Umrah in December.
When the group arrived at Cape Town International Airport on 27 December, they discovered that their names had been removed from the system and their flights cancelled.
IOL reports that Davids was arrested on 14 January at the airport when he landed in Cape Town from Doha.
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According to the State, the travel agent is charged with two counts of fraud. However, the investigating officer is preparing more than 20 cases with the same modus operandi. He is also reportedly wanted by authorities in Saudi Arabia for operating under false pretences.
The State also deemed Davids a flight risk due to his knowledge of the travel industry, and it raised concerns that he could try to have the charges laid against him dropped by offering refunds to the victims and interfering with witnesses.
Furthermore, the State determined that he would be safer behind bars, as his release could ‘disturb the peace within communities’.
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