More victims of an alleged umrah scammer say he has paid back the money.
Imam Fasiegh Adams reimbursed 18 people from Strand to the tune of R162 000 last Wednesday.
But his victims say it is too little, too late.
Adams made headlines after he was accused of scamming two umrah tour groups from Mitchells Plain and Strand out of R1.3 million.
The pilgrims were supposed to leave for Mecca on 25 December but were left stranded after Adams “cancelled” their trips.
PAID BACK THE MONEY: Imam Fasiegh Adams of Mitchells Plain
Following intense media scrutiny and criminal charges being laid against him, Adams paid back six clients from Mitchells Plain last month with the promise of also reimbursing his other victims.
Washela, 47, and her husband, Mogamat Noor, 45, confirmed they have received money back. The couple paid R19 000 each for their trip.
“On Tuesday, as a group we went to file charges against him (Adams) on Wednesday. We got a call from one of the people in the group saying he received money and requesting our banking details,” Washela explains.
She says they each received R9 000 back from Adams and after they tracked down the company through which the flights were booked, they were refunded the remaining R10 000.
“We managed to find the place where our tickets were purchased so that’s where the other R10 000 went to. But we’re not all (the group) too happy.
“We still had to pay cancellation and penalty fees for the flights,” she says.
REFUNDED: Washela Noor of Strand
Though they received their money, the group will proceed with the criminal case.
“We are still going ahead with his case. Everyone’s view is we were conned out of our money, and 90% of us feel this way,” she adds.
The SAPS’s Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed a case of fraud has been opened in Strand.
Fazloodien Abrahams from TNK Inc Attorneys and Conveyancers, the attorney assisting the two groups, confirmed his clients received their monies.
“Yes, as far as I know, everyone received their money, R9000 each,” Abrahams said.
CONFIRMATION: Attorney Fazloodien Abrahams
Meanwhile, Adams, who cannot be reached for comment, will be appearing in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on an unrelated fraud charge.
He was arrested on 31 January at the Cell C store in Cavendish Square in Claremont, where he allegedly opened several fraudulent contracts.