Hyderabad NGO Khidmaat Foundation dupes hundreds during Eid-ul-Adha

In a shocking incident of fraud, a city-based NGO, Khidmaat Foundation, has been accused of deceiving nearly 500 people by collecting money for animal sacrifices during the recent Eid-ul-Adha festival, also known as Bakrid. The organization reportedly promised to perform the sacrifice and distribute the meat to the contributors, but failed to deliver on their commitments.

According to police reports, the Khidmaat Foundation set up temporary offices in Tolichowki and Mallepally areas of Hyderabad, attracting members of the Muslim community with offers of discounted rates for participating in the ritual sacrifice. Each participant was charged ₹2,700 for a share in the sacrifice, which was seen as an affordable alternative for those unable to buy animals individually for the festival.

The fraud came to light when on Monday, the promised day of meat distribution, contributors who had paid the foundation gathered at the designated locations to collect their share of the meat. They found the offices closed and their calls to the foundation’s representatives went unanswered. As the hours passed without any response, frustration turned into suspicion.

On Tuesday, June 19, a large number of affected individuals converged on Filmnagar and Habeebnagar police stations to file complaints against the foundation. The police have since registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter. Early estimates suggest that around 500 people were duped, amounting to a significant financial scam.

The victims expressed their distress, highlighting how the promise of affordable sacrifice shares was appealing to them, given the high cost of livestock. The case has raised concerns about the oversight and regulation of NGOs involved in religious and charitable activities.

Authorities are urging other potential victims to come forward and report if they have been similarly defrauded. The police are working on tracing the individuals behind the Khidmaat Foundation and recovering the money to compensate the victims.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, emphasizing the need for vigilance and verification before participating in such schemes, especially during religious festivities.