A once-revered Kenyan Imam, Ustadh Omar Athman, is now a fugitive after allegedly defrauding Muslim worshippers of millions in a fraudulent Hajj and Umrah travel scheme. Worshippers from across the country had entrusted the Imam with their life savings, only to be left stranded and heartbroken.
PROMISES TURN INTO NIGHTMARES
What was supposed to be a spiritual journey to Makkah and Madinah turned into a nightmare for dozens of worshippers. Victims report paying between Ksh.200,000 and Ksh.640,000 to Imam Omar, who had promised them hassle-free Umrah visas and travel arrangements. Days before their expected departure, the Imam vanished, leaving behind unanswered calls and dashed hopes.
“I was so excited to make the pilgrimage. I paid Ksh.200,000, but when the time came, there was no word from him. He stopped picking calls, and everything fell apart,” lamented one victim, Mariam Juma.
TRAIL OF FRAUD
Victims like Mariam Mohamed Ahmed and her friend Barke Atieno Abdalla recounted losing Ksh.360,000 and Ksh.640,000, respectively, sent via bank transfers. Hussein Hassan Ali Omar, another victim from Nakuru, disclosed that he had invested Ksh.300,000 with the Imam in 2020, hoping to sponsor Muslim pilgrims for Umrah trips.
“I trusted him to help me grow a business facilitating pilgrimages. Instead, he scammed me and many others,” Hussein shared.
Many of the victims, including older women who had painstakingly saved by selling goods and sewing, are devastated. Some had been waiting for years for this sacred opportunity.
CONFRONTATION AND A COLD RESPONSE
Determined to recover her money, Mariam Juma tracked Omar’s sister to Malindi, where he was known to preach at the Al-Ihsan Mosque. However, her pleas were met with indifference.
“I went to their home in peace, asking for my money. Instead of sympathy, they mocked me, saying, ‘Who told you you wouldn’t get your money back?’” Juma recounted.
POLICE REPORTS AND A FRESH SCAM WARNING
At least eight victims have since reported the matter to Lang’ata Police Station and obtained official statements. Meanwhile, an alarming discovery on Omar’s WhatsApp status revealed a new advertisement for another Umrah trip, raising fears that more Kenyans could fall victim to his schemes.
For now, Omar’s phone remains switched off, and his whereabouts are unknown.
CALL FOR JUSTICE
The victims, now united in their plight, are demanding swift action to bring the fugitive Imam to justice and recover their hard-earned money.
“People trusted him because of his religious position, but he used it to prey on vulnerable individuals. This man must face the consequences,” said Hussein.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging others who may have fallen prey to this scam to come forward.
