Family loses $106K in scam for non-existent vacation

Travel World Sydney Scams Family Out of Dream Holiday

Nicole Vris and her family were eagerly anticipating their dream trip to Greece, a journey that involved 35 members of their extended family. However, their excitement turned to dismay when they discovered that the $106,000 they had paid to Travel World Sydney had not been used to book their flights and accommodations.

Initially, Ms. Vris received what appeared to be flight reservations for the entire group. But upon closer inspection, she realized that the documentation was fake. When she contacted Emirates directly, they confirmed that the numbers on the itinerary did not exist, and the group was not in the system.

Feeling deceived, Ms. Vris approached the director of Travel World Sydney for answers, only to receive empty responses and eventually being ignored altogether. As a result, she and her family were left without plane tickets or accommodation for their long-awaited vacation.

“It is a hell of a lot of money,” Ms. Vris lamented. “Had we not found out, we would’ve shown up at the airport on this particular day… to be told that we don’t have a ticket.”

Ms. Vris is not alone in her predicament. Fair Trading has received 28 complaints about the Arncliffe travel agency, totaling nearly $154,000 in consumer purchases. An investigation into Travel World Sydney has been initiated by NSW Fair Trading.

According to a statement from Fair Trading, businesses are prohibited from accepting payment for products or services if they do not intend to deliver them, as per the Australian Consumer Law. The investigation process can be lengthy, involving interviews, documentation gathering, and expert consultations.

The current office of Travel World Sydney in Arncliffe is closed, with a notice on the window indicating that the landlord has regained possession. In response to the growing number of complaints, NSW Police have launched a strike force investigation into the alleged fraud. They are urging anyone affected by Travel World Sydney to contact St George Police.

“St George Police Area Command have commenced an investigation under Strike Force Baile regarding alleged frauds involving a travel agency at Arncliffe,” a police statement confirmed. “A number of people have reported that they had made travel arrangements with the agency, and those bookings had not been honored.”

News.com.au reached out to the director of Travel World Sydney for comment but has not received a response at the time of writing.

The Vris family’s story serves as a cautionary tale for travelers, highlighting the importance of due diligence when dealing with travel agencies. As the investigation unfolds, affected individuals are hopeful for a resolution that will bring them justice and restitution for their lost funds.