Syrian national posing as Gaza victim detained in Ahmedabad, fundraising racket suspected

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has detained a Syrian national for allegedly posing as a Gaza war victim and collecting donations from mosques across different cities in India. Investigators suspect that the accused is part of a larger group operating a fundraising racket under false pretences.

According to officials, the accused has been identified as Ali Medhat Alzaher (23), a resident of Damascus, Syria, currently staying at Hotel Regal Residency in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad. Police said Alzaher entered India on a tourist visa and travelled across several states before arriving in Ahmedabad, where he allegedly visited mosques claiming to be a displaced Gaza resident in need of financial assistance.

Crime Branch officials said he admitted during questioning that he collected money by projecting himself as a victim of the conflict in Gaza and used the funds to live a “luxurious lifestyle”. On his body, investigators also found injury marks on the chest, which he claimed were from fighting in battle.

“During interrogation, Alzaher initially pretended to know only Arabic. He revealed that several others like him had also entered India but had gone underground once he was detained. His activities are highly suspicious and are being investigated jointly by state and central agencies,” a senior Crime Branch officer said.

Officials further stated that the group had gathered in Lebanon before travelling to India. Police suspect misappropriation of the funds collected from mosques and are probing the money trail.

Officials said that Ali’s detention has led to immediate proceedings for his deportation and blacklisting, citing violations of visa rules. Investigators are also trying to verify the passports of his alleged associates — identified as Ahmed Ohed Alhabash, Zakaria Haitham Alzar and Youssef Khalid Alzahar — to establish whether the documents are genuine.

“The investigation will also ascertain how the collected money has been utilised and whether it has been diverted for suspicious activities,” the officer added.

The Crime Branch said further inquiries are underway in coordination with central intelligence agencies.