Travel Agent Accused of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars With Fake Vacation Packages | TSR Investigates

[@dereck4187]

To be honest I don't think no one require a travel agent or 3rd party for trips. Just do a lot of research and plan yourself

[@coolsagicobie]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@Nessakay1]

That’s what I do. I research early and for days. Lol

[@dereck4187]

@@Nessakay1 u saying days but we all know a trip is months or years planning lol. Google and you tube videos become ya friend on the place of travel lol. Compare all the airlines prices booking one ways for flexible. There is so much fun in planning your own trip

[@bitplaya7432]

I mean a trip to Cancun? I understand using a travel agent for someplace exotic. But Cancun is easy to book travel to.

[@dereck4187]

@@bitplaya7432 exotic place huh. The same exotic place you can research as well. Plus most places travel is well known.

[@Ms.AnnDrist]

Filing a cease and desist against the people whose money you stole is diabolical 😂

[@camrymoore134]

Scammiana of the sea 😂😂 that sent me 😂😂

[@RoyaltyK]

Justin have me rollin😭

[@gorgeousfrazier5903]

😂😂😂

[@prtdiva]

Sent meeeeeeee! 😂

[@jahintoodeep2321]

😂😂😂

[@toombs6287]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@et9151]

Man book it yourself we got internet now😂

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

Facts. We don't even need travel agents.

[@Princess_804Worldwide]

​​@@TheCarnivoreSoprano false! But become a travel agent and earn the commissions on your travel!

[@erickn7985]

Facts bro, my girlfriend and I have organized trips for our friends to Cancun. It's pretty simple honestly just takes a couple hours to see where the group wants to stay and activities😂😂

[@reedaharris1341]

​@@erickn7985 So you did the job for free! The only difference is that the legit travel agents are getting paid.

[@looool8250]

Smh some older people are not good with technology I can see how they got scammed. If you’re younger you should not have an excuse.

[@vanessagreene2471]

Put her in jail.

[@xI2eLoaDeDx]

That makeup is criminal

[@shaqvonamcconn8874]

This is absolutely disgusting behavior

[@quanyaisiaferguson8840]

Yes it is

[@jahintoodeep2321]

💯

[@BlackInsanity00]

Always and I mean ALWAYS book directly. You don't need no middle man.

[@RoyaltyK]

Exactly there’s always confusion with middle men. ..In trips, conversations, everything!!

[@dilioness2012]

Absolutely 💯

[@BougieGlam]

@@BlackInsanity00 not true ! You can't get Free Drinks, Comp WIFI and room upgrades! What people get wrong is there's a fee! There is Absolutely no Fee , it's 100 💯 Free to hire a Travel Agent. Also you get a long time to pay for your vacation if you book on your own , the entire trip , and airfare needs to be paid in full. I had so many deals to Offer for Black Friday and the rest of December...for Travel in 2025. No way you can get my discounts on the New Ritz Carlton cruises or travel on Giant Old Fashioned Sail Boats into the Caribbean. No big ships allowed. It's free , why would you want to stress yourself out? There's so many cruise ships even I didn't know about. Not to mention the excursion discounts. Because of our relationships with the cruise ships , I can have them personally bring strawberries and champagne, get you dinner with the Captain etc ..what website do you know that does this??? None !

[@seanthe100]

Right use the middle man to find the best price and book directly

[@toombs6287]

💯💯💯💯

[@danlowe8684]

Red flag #1 should have been a person that is calling themselves a travel agent in 2024.

[@unsubzeroed9792]

Bruh I book everything last minute and deal with the security check scrutiny cause nah that’s too much bread I’m going direct

[@symone3113]

What’s the security check scrutiny’s

[@rollymayola363]

Exactly

[@unsubzeroed9792]

@@symone3113 like if you buy a ticket last last minute you always get hit with a security check make sure you aren’t doing anything sus

[@oliviagilmore8125]

@@symone3113 they may flag you returning into the country when you book a last minute trip cause they think you're a mule. Boarder patrol looks at all of that when you return

[@Mrs.Portia_G]

You clearly don’t need a travel agent nowadays! Book your own travel, people! Praying for all those who were scammed. This is terrible!!

[@SiriP-i6w]

Better yet, get a Cosco membership and book with their travel booking!

[@MissMFinDaniels]

I see for like the eldery that dont use the internet often or something but everybody else is able bodied.

[@prtdiva]

You need travel agents for large groups. Traveling solo or as a small group, no problem. Travel agent not needed. But these folks were planning for groups of 50+. That’s 50 people you have to chase for payment. 50 people you have to answer dumbass questions to daily. 50 flights etc. Travel agents are very much the way to go for large group travel. It’s just unfortunate this happened to them with scammiana of the sea 🥴

[@chocolatequeen5953]

Especially from someone who reach out to you on line!

[@toombs6287]

Exactly!!!

[@justliss1827]

This is why I book directly with cruise line, with hotel, or with expedia. No fb travel agents.

[@Marilyn-s4d]

You're right! Been with Expedia for eleven years never a problem! Receives bookings numbers and receipt within minutes!😅

[@audreyknowsbest2934]

I always booked the same way! But I had a bad experience with Expedia I would never use them again I got sick and couldn’t make the trip. They refused to give me a refund.I lost my money $1600.00.

[@justliss1827]

@audreyknowsbest2934 oh no. I'm sorry that you experienced that.

[@sarahsno215]

It’s honestly these ladies fault. They were looking for cheap deals, idk how you can’t see that it’s a scam. They should have done research on this company or just booked directly

[@Marilyn-s4d]

@@audreyknowsbest2934 Sorry to hear that! That's why I get the insurance which covers trip cancelations!

[@mykiea5156]

I don’t know how people can do this with a clear conscious

[@richellehartford98]

This comment! This is all I'm wondering myself

[@jahintoodeep2321]

💯 Too many snakes & wicked hearted people out here. The Better Business Bureau should have a division that pursues all of these scamming people running fake companies.

[@tabithaharden1865]

That's why I book my own ish...I dont care if it costs a little bit more

[@Nessakay1]

Facts. People just cannot be trusted these days.

[@ZezeDouglas]

Exactly 💯

[@maryb6102]

Facts

[@erickn7985]

@@tabithaharden1865 Facts bro, when me and the boys go to Jamaica, I get everybody on a zoom call and we all book our flights at the same time.

[@kamilahdouglas1609]

But it doesn't cost more...travel agents book for you and then add their fee on top of it. It's actually cheaper to book directly yourself.

[@lesliesmart4595]

For the love of God as a former travel agent if you do not get a physical itemized itinerary from Resort or airlines. Baby you getting setup. Even when you book your own personal travel you get an receipt with your itinerary for trip your booking with reservations number. Meaning you should even be able call hotel, resort, cruiseline etc... And they should be able to confirm your booking!

[@criscris5519]

Thank you. Please do a video . I would love all tips

[@mariancounsellor]

This is so true. I got a full itinerary when I travelled to the Seychelles using a Travel Agent. They booked my excursions for me too and a driver.

[@anthonychicoine9372]

You’re a prime example of why I would never use a travel agent. Terrible grammar = completely shady.

[@2cents250]

@@anthonychicoine9372the fact that you are masquerading as a play grammar nazi in a youtube comment section screams too broke to afford a concierge service. good riddance 😂

[@tiyanahall1023]

I’m part of a group of nurses scammed by a travel agent on a Virgin cruise. Our itinerary with Virgin showed all the excursions we were booked for. The day after we boarded all the excursions disappeared, Virgin stated that the payments were never made to secure excursions. So for the love of god had if you have never encountered a situation don’t assume people aren’t aware of what needs to be checked before traveling.

[@ms.semi5461]

Sad this scares me the best thing to do is book it yourself and ask for a group rate

[@judybooker4339]

How about getting a confirmation when that deposit is paid or never make another payment. This is awful

[@amilllion1]

Exactly, a confirmation isn’t just received after the final payment

[@therellnevab]

The best thing to do is book your own trips. Stop using Social media travel agents. If we not corresponding via email, app or 1-800 customer service number, I say no thank you!

[@chenellebeautytv]

🎯

[@MrSoopaDoopa]

We just had this happen to a large group of us last week by Black Couple Getaways (BCG). We paid for a cruise on Virgin Cruise lines. BCG canceled, and called cruise line, and Virgin never heard of BCG. These scam artists are running the same playbook. BCG is still advertising the same cruise!

[@prettyfacemoe]

Omg thanks for this. I see this agency advertised all over FB & IG

[@lesliesmart4595]

Yikes if you don't get an itinerary with reservation number from cruise line because all cruises are booked directly i.e Virgin, MSC, Carnival, etc through their website its more likely a scam.

[@cb4664]

That name alone should have been a red flag 😂😂😂😂 cmon now

[@RestingVirgoFace]

Ive never used a travel agency. I always book my own trips

[@MrSoopaDoopa]

@@RestingVirgoFace this was a group booking. I have learned my lesson going forward.

[@allthingsdelightful8565]

Happened to me back in 2019. I knew this person for years. It was supposed to be her 50th birthday trip. She was a travel agent. Made payments for months. When it was about two weeks left for the trip she dodged me and never gave me my booking confirmations for hotels and excursions. I called the hotels overseas and told me they had no reservations under my name or the so called travel agent. Made so many excuses. She scammed me out of 1700 dollars. I had to sue her in small claims court. Won a judgement and still never got my money back. I bet this is the same person who scammed me as well smh.

[@SamuelsReview]

That is super crazy. To be old and still scamming people, especially people you know. Hopefully you will get the money back triple fold😊

[@lmjr400]

Book directly to hotels, cruise and airlines ..AGAIN DIRECTLY

[@faevalentine9187]

Advice from an avid traveler, LEARN HOW TO THINK FOR YOURSELF. It’s very dangerous to travel in other countries without knowing how to solve your own problems and utilize resources.

[@joegardner5386]

I got extorted from the cops in Cancun Mexico for $300. (6,040 pesos) I will never return

[@kahluaqueen]

@@joegardner5386ugh Mexico…why do people even go to that place 🤢

[@Hairitage2023]

Affordable is a red flag 🚩 in some instances!!

[@badgalmimi1972]

I understand needing a travel agent in the 1999s & Early 2000 cause you didn’t know any better.but 2024 is wild , just go to the websites & book , book an airline , book a hotel call the resort ask for packages create a paper trail

[@RestingVirgoFace]

Right places like Tripmasters has the airlines, hotels,excursions all on the same site.

[@foodiegal9923]

@@RestingVirgoFace Yes! I’ve used Tripmasters for a 10 day trip to Portugal and a trip to Panama. Planning to go to Greece next. I fully trust this website and they handle everything! I don’t see the need for a travel agent.

[@sarahsno215]

I was just looking at a resort company that literally does packages with flights and everything…who the hell needs to pay someone to do that??

[@foodiegal9923]

@@RestingVirgoFace My comment got deleted but I’ll say it again. I booked to Portugal and Panama through Tripmasters. I’ll never use a travel agent again.

[@smartanajones4u]

Jason your witty journalism style, voice, countenance are truly exceptional. I love to see and hear you commentating on the tales from the hood with a professional twist lol 😂

[@erickn7985]

When my friends and i wanted to go ona cruise to the Caribbean, we booked directly with the cruise line and asked about a group rates.

[@marvingarrett2398]

Amen….deal directly wit Cruise Line …. No middle MAN

[@djsmellnloud7246]

that simple

[@confidentialprivateusa6519]

CALL THE RESORT OR HOTEL DIRECTLY AND BOOK YOUR OWN VACATION!

[@girlwithnoniche7852]

I booked my own cruise on the cruise site. Google is your best friend. I’m cheap as hell but I can book my own reservation. May need to upgrade when I get there. But I get there. Travel agent my ass. I want to fly out the country I will book it myself

[@dinikkagissentanner2458]

Man people that scam make it hard for people that are actual travel agents and doing the work and doing it properly . I am a travel agent who makes everyone fill out an authorization form. Red flag is when she was making them send square payments.

[@brandywilliams6876]

Absolutely! I agree and also own a travel business. This is unfortunate chaos 😢

[@BluetoGreenTravel]

Exactly you can't charge people's cards legally without their authorization. Also a tip to the consumers you should see the charges come out of your bank account or on your credit card for the trip that you are trying to go on by the vendor not the agency ie. Royal Caribbean, United airlines, when the agent books it or makes a payment. The agent should be able to give you all itineraries and booking numbers immediately after booking if they can't cancel any transactions to that agent. I wish everyone the best in this unfortunate situation.

[@KimAWoodruff]

Absolutely agree! I am a travel agent as well (over 10+ years), and I don't even accept cash payments, checks, or any payments through CashApp, Zelle, Venmo, or Eventbrite. I have heard/read one too many horror stories with scam TA's from family, friends, clients, etc. On my website, you are required to complete a registration-payment authorization form for any and all transactions that protect you as a client and myself as a travel agent. I always suggest to anyone traveling to be aware of the scam TA's that are preying on your hard-earned money. Please, please do your research and comparison shop. May this person be held accountable for their actions. They give hardworking TA's a bad name.

[@kamilahdouglas1609]

These days, travel agents are unnecessary! We all have access to the same internet, just book directly without a middle man charging you their fees.

[@posheditor]

agreed!

[@carladavenport7615]

Real travel agents are not the same as the social media agents. I have been in the industry for over 30 years. Not as a leisure agent but as a corporate consultant for large Fortune 500 businesses. Please know the difference, we are not all the same and even 2024 we are still relevant.

[@mariancounsellor]

@@carladavenport7615I agree. My Travel Agent gave me the holiday of a lifetime to the Seychelles last year. It took me a year to pay for it but she helped select the best hotel, secured a driver for me, booked the excursions, and made everything stress-free. I felt blessed to have found her and would use that Travel Agency again.

[@postivevibes3030]

People still books thru travel agencies 🤦‍♀️😔

[@Hardest612Eva]

Nothing wrong with it but you gotta know who you dealing with ..they scammed one time and never got over it

[@postivevibes3030]

@ nope too much scamming 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@taraking8555]

Exactly!! Too many scammers!!

[@mariancounsellor]

Not on Facebook but yes, there are some reputable travel agencies out there.

[@onikagorkin1675]

She is not going to get away with this. The sad thing is it’s taking so long. We wrote reviews on her page about her scam. The Vendors who she works with should also to be blamed. We have reached out to them and wrote letters to them as well but they continue to allow her to use their names.

[@BluetoGreenTravel]

You're right she will get caught and face some jail time. If you want to stop her contact her host agency and report her to them and they'll deactivate her because they don't want the smoke 👍.

[@vd7047]

Truely shocking..scammed by your own too 😢

[@sarahsno215]

What the hell uses travel agents anymore?? You can book travel packages online, without shady grifters

[@brittani.inthecity]

SCAMIANA OF THE SEA 😂😂😂😂

[@carmencardenas4311]

She will not get away with this she messed with the wrong bride

[@laurancebell3015]

I don’t pay for anything with my debit card. Credit card and PayPal always

[@modune1]

I mean I pay NOTHING with the debit card...Credit card only

[@unaisodora1149]

​@@modune1 Right!!! Things go south Card /PP reverse charges and investigate the matter. Time to be vigilant!!!! 🕵🏽‍♂️

[@jiniahmurray]

“Her attorney”??? It was probably her they were talking to 🙄

[@jenniferjones4113]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@saelaverdad8183]

I have never in my life used a travel agent and I've been traveling since I was 17. I've been to many Eu countries, caribbean, etc. I've always just booked everything directly.

[@TheQueenrevolution]

...also...the destination wedding story confuses me the most. ANYTIME you book a destination wedding the resort event planner will reach out DIRECTLY to you. You have to pick the ceremony location, decor, food selections, bar, they try to sell you the photography package, the DJ, make up artist, and all kinds of other amenities. How did they go so long without having made any actual ceremony plans with the resort and think it was all good? I feel bad for them. This lady needs to be JAILED but we must educate ourselves.

[@jaxx-ld2bu]

You are so right!😮🤔 I booked my destination wedding for Barbados 🇧🇧 over 23 years ago! I needed no travel agent!!🤷‍♂️

[@mstyah]

This is why I book with the airline directly.

[@ga20904]

With all the resources online to plan your trips why are people still using Travel Agents

[@higherrealms5309]

Everyone is so “shocked” that these people used a travel agent. You know who else is a travel agent? Expedia, Kayak, Trip Advisor, etc. Anytime u shop for a better price, u are 99% of the time using a travel agent.

[@chantellrich9910]

The difference is that those are reputable companies that have been around for many years. Although, sometimes they will overbook a hotel.

[@Marilyn-s4d]

I've been using Expedia for eleven years never a problem! Always get booking number and receipt within minutes of booking! Expedia has a history does these other off brand agents!😅

[@IamMsMoy]

This sort of behavior is what causes black people to earn such a negative reputation. This woman needs to be held accountable. If she hasn’t done anything wrong why not return the funds? She’s a scammer through and through 🙄

[@polly8844]

If taking a cruise , book through the cruise ship company, not a middleman. That's how I've done it with no problems. You can't trust anyone these days.

[@goldenb1592]

No way! Always book your own trips!

[@latashataylor4291]

This just happened to us in Stl for our NYE cruise 😡

[@TheLadyj8402]

🤬🤬🤬

[@trishakaaay3720]

Thank you for giving the best advice ever … Learn how to think and do for yourself; especially, when it comes to financial matters; too many people rely heavily on social media instead of doing the work themselves.

[@BKGEE21]

Why do people still use travel agents smh.

[@MrYoung11]

$700 all inclusive 🤔

[@Unapologetically_Savage]

Exactly …. 😂 like y’all didn’t question that!!

[@itsjustjrenee]

Thats terrible. Im a travel agent and only book directly with my vendors for this purpose. My clients call me and i put their payments in directly through the vendor and a receipt is sent every single time. Thats so greedy. You get commission, that should be enough.

[@KELLZGAL]

The problem is that ANYONE can call themselves a Travel Agent now!! Back when I started you HAD to have training and certification to even work at a Travel Agency!! You have to VET people BEFORE giving them your money!!!

[@laidbacksoundz9008]

Horrible!

[@Milanitalia4581]

Don’t ever use ur debit card especially through the 3rd payment apps! My dad always told me to use a credit card for vacations & flights because most credit card companies will give you points and you are 100% protected! Also, if someone ever gets your information, then you’re most likely to be protected with your credit card!

[@kiwitransgirl]

If shes on fb shes a scammer

[@sadeblack3081]

See this is why I book my own shit

[@digitalkev06]

Just horrible! I hate when a group gives me a travel agent to go through. I research too much and always catch them not knowing something and it makes me feel like something is off. One time I had an agent never change my reservation so I would have lost a day at the resort . They said they did but I called myself and they said no one called and did that. 🤦🏾‍♂️ I knew in my gut they didn’t do it. Glad I fixed it ! Just book yourself !

[@godivabaker6622]

This just pissed me off so much!!! 😡😡😡People work hard for their money and they look forward to vacation and take time off from work.

[@peachykeen692165]

I hear that travel agents can get you some perks maybe but I personally never saw the benefits of having someone else book my travel

[@KJ-he6hf]

Scamming is a real thing

[@SiriP-i6w]

Costco, Costco,Costco Travel! Can’t go wrong.

[@foodiegal9923]

Costco

[@nawec8484]

Cocost

[@xiomanaxoxoxo3212]

That is so cruel.

[@alittlechocolatedrop]

So bold and so nasty. The group standing at the doc is sad. Cannot imagine.

[@AlbatrossWhisper]

Been to 30 countries and never needed a travel agent. Book it yourself

[@rogermoore27]

Yep.....the usual suspect and the usual victim

[@Kozette007]

This is why I book my OWN travel. Discounts and upgrades are still present when you are loyal to an airline or cruise.

[@Itsjay661]

I've always just booked my own trips. I don't know why a travel agent is needed. But to each their own. This is horrible, I hate this happened to them.

[@lorrainekelton6425]

I have been using a travel agent for years. She's helped me with the computer paperwork. I book my own shore excursions directly with the ship. I hope they put this travel agent in gail and throw away the key. It's not just the money but the great disappointment these people have suffered.

[@mr.positive7510]

That is so horrible. It takes time to save up money for vacations.

[@lucy9542]

She can afford an attorney but can’t pay her victims back. 😠

[@Erica-zg7yo]

She needs to go to jail!!! I agree with other commenters. Book your own travel. Because if anything goes wrong you can take the blame yourself.

[@doctordl7757]

That's why you book directly through the company not a third party

[@travelbyshaiy]

He’s given good advice at the end. Please don’t think all travel agents are bad.

[@angelicashields9706]

Have a coworker who was booked on a Carnival cruise with about 50 others. The group arrives at BWI airport to fly to Florida (the morning of sailing…first mistake). Group leader had received email the previous day that their flight had been canceled but she didn’t give info to ANYONE until arrival at the airport. Those who couldn’t rebook flights were left stranded in Baltimore, having to find transportation back to Central Virginia. I see my coworker at work a few days later…”Aren’t you supposed to be on a cruise?”…..”Gurl, you won’t believe what happened!”

[@yesterdayseyes]

If you don't have a booking number that you can look up on the cruise line or airlines website, you don't have a booking

[@Starbeoghtuser3475]

Booking directly when you have a half dozen people is fairly straightforward but booking for 52 people I could never do and neither could you on your own. Let’s be serious

[@biggerthanhiphop7641]

Why would you use a travel agent to book a royal carribean cruise ?

[@kifrancis]

There is no where you can book up a trip and pay the day before leaving. That’s just not possible

[@CedricG-mo3py]

All of these damn scammers .

[@kingshakeem]

I remember I was booking a trip for me and my homeboy to Colombia, he called and asked me so many damn questions. I was truly annoyed. So yes agents still serve a purpose!!!

[@TheBORG580]

I have never use a travel agent and never will people stop being lazy just book it yourself.

[@itsmejahmarie]

It’s 2024 WHY TF YOU NEED A TRAVEL AGENT

[@InfluenceHerWithBeeRenee]

Woe,I'm sorry that happened justice now shame!😡🤬

[@nopenallnull]

This is why I have always been my OWN travel agent.

[@ashajeremiahqw8775]

Just book your trips yourself tf . I never like booking through a third party

[@lindy8077]

Didn’t know travel agents were still a thing. Guess they’re making a come back. Whenever an agent is involved in some s#!t you can easily do for yourself, it’s usually suspicious.

[@theemporium5899]

This exact same scam just happened here in my country. The "agent" had a gambling problem and blew all the money.

[@Oir07]

Why can’t people just booked their own trips that’s stupid

[@Nicj2388]

It’s easier to scam your owe people because when it’s your owe people you don’t expect them to scam you

[@MelissaLaura8989]

That’s fucked up. This is why I won’t use that service! 💯

[@carmenbell1905]

So sad

[@justadventures22]

Every adventure I book and plan on my own. This is terrible for those folks!!

[@Denzelswife-rb7qz]

Go Expedia!! I book my own cruises and I got family members who are travel agents 😅 trust no man

[@jaxx-ld2bu]

EXPEDIA!! Is third party!! Bad advice!! ALWAYS BOOK DIRECTLY!!! A change happens third party won't always give a refund!!😮🙈🤷‍♂️

[@higherrealms5309]

Expedia is a travel agency

[@Marilyn-s4d]

Been with Expedia eleven years! Never had a problem can be cheaper than directly booking with certain airlines! Expedia has no problem giving refunds within three to seven business days! You can also get points to get discounts on flights and hotel rooms! To each its own!😅

[@kcj1116]

I do not understand why people use travel agents in this time and age

[@joeyfelix7238]

But why pay for a travel agency and pay the percentage? When you can do it yourself and receive your own discounts that the agency probably won’t tell you.

[@francineblack5081]

Never use 3rd party. No commission required

[@LaLaKnight]

Who uses a travel agent in 2024 when you have TripAdvisor, Expedia, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram? I remember we met some guys in Mexico who said they paid a travel agent 5k to book their trip (they were in the Nene Leakes ghettos chile) and I told them I paid 2k for our entire trip at a 5 star all inclusive resort. I knew then I would never book with a travel agent. Craziness

[@stephalban3942]

I didn't think travel agencies were still around.

[@trolltrolling9022]

Both of these trips could have been booked directly… cheaper anyway and easier to manage with the app, especially the cruises. This is crazy to me.

[@prettiilexii672]

You cannot trust strangers with your hard earned money! Just take the extra time to do your research to book yourself a trip.

[@boocali2017]

700$ per person for an all inclusive resort?!

[@zelmaturner3206]

That’s a damn shame she out here doing that….!!