My friend cheated me and others by saying he has an investment of huge sum of money and declared himself bankrupt. I recommended others to join as investors and he paid me for each person about 200 or so. I did it as a job. I already filed proof of debt in our country's department. I did not know that he is cheating us. 5 years had passed and the bankruptcy department said no news about him. My question is must I make a police report and will Salat Hajat help me to know about him. Please advise, I just want to know about him before I die.

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. If you were not aware of the behavior of your friend and his tricks to take away the amounts of people then you are no longer blamed and you are free from any obligation in this matter. However, it was supposed that those who dealt with him should have completed the official papers. If you can help the authorities to catch the cheater or find his place then you are obliged to do so, in order to get back the rights of people. Salat al-Hajah (prayer for need) could be performed for any lawful necessities that a person wants to achieve. So, you may perform that prayer for your necessity. May Allah make easy the way to know where is he. We ask Allah to ease all your matters. Allah knows best.