A group of Muslims has missed out on making the Hajj pilgrimage because of discrepancies over visas.
Go4 Hajj, a tour operator in Luton, had organised a trip for almost 100 pilgrims complete with visas.
But the visas turned out to be fake and the trip has been called off. Pilgrims have yet to find out if they will get their money back.
The Saudi government issues free visas but some in the hands of tour operators have turned out to be fake.
One of the victims, Dr Nadim Nayar, spent £25,000 on the pilgrimage tour for his family.
He said: "I am ashamed to say to my friends that these are Muslims who have taken our money.
"They told us they would deliver but with the other hand have taken it away."
Go4 Hajj holds an Airline Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) bond - under which airlines pledge to compensate travellers in certain circumstances.
A spokesman for the ATOL organisation said that tour operators are obliged to provide the service promised or refund the pilgrims' money.
If neither of these options work then pilgrims are advised to contact ATOL for help.
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