Two Mitchells Plain moulanas have filed charges of fraud against the notorious Imam Fasiegh Adams, who allegedly conned two umrah tour groups out of R1.3 million last year.
Moulana Ihsaan Abrahams, 36, and Moulana Yusuf Evans, 34, from Jamiatul Ulama Western Cape, claim Adams has fraudulently issued collection letters using their letterhead and names and then pocketed the money.
They say the alleged fraud started in Ramadaan last year already.
MORE TROUBLE: Fasiegh Adams sent ‘fraudulent letters’
“We heard rumours about Adams fraudulently issuing letters with no consent from us.
“Only myself, Moulana Evans and another individual are allowed to issue and sign these letters,” Abrahams tells the Daily Voice.
They finally got their “proof” in December, when they saw the letters bearing their names and falsified signatures.
The letters have the stamp of approval of Jamiatul Ulama Western Cape, confirming an organisation exists and is in need of funds, and allows the bearer to collect money from the public.
Evans adds: “Adams is issuing collection letters without authorisation and selling it to organisations and he even issued himself a letter for his own organisations [Madrassah Tul Uloom].
“He allegedly charged a fee to issue these letters to people. What is concerning is that I don’t know if these organisations exist, it hasn’t been confirmed.”
Evans says Adams made several mistakes on the letters, confirming they were fake.
“He used my name but spelt my surname incorrectly. He added his own phone number.
“At the bottom of the letter my signature, which is in Arabic is also incorrect,” Evans says.
LAY CHARGE: Ihsaan Abrahams, one of the two moulanas. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Abrahams adds: “He did exactly the same thing to me, only that this time he issued it to himself. He used my number and in all likelihood he made a mistake.
“He even has his picture next to my signature which is also in Arabic and spelt incorrectly.
“He also names himself Mogamat Adam, removing the name Fasiegh.”
He says they are disgusted by Adams for using religion to commit fraud.
“If I can equate this, it’s like selling drugs, it’s easy money. One of the projects on the fraudulent letters states the collection is for orphans and destitute children. We want them to stop as it hurts our organisation,” Abrahams says.
He says as a result, they have not issued any letters, meaning needy organisations are suffering.
Evans says he has known Adams for a long time and wants him “to come clean”.
“I don’t know what caused him to turn sour,” Evans added.
COLLECT: Fraud Imam removed “Fasiegh” from his name
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that fraud charges were laid against Adams at Lentegeur SAPS: “The mentioned cases are currently under investigation and no arrests have been made.”
While Adams has paid back most of his umrah victims, he still has charges of fraud pending, after his arrest on 30 January at Cell C where he allegedly tried to open contracts.