A New York-based travel agent has been arrested and charged after authorities say she took tens of thousands of dollars from customers for trips that were never booked — and in some cases, didn’t even exist.
Tavia Thomas, 47, the owner of Destiny Travel NY, was charged on Jan. 6 with three counts of grand larceny in the third degree, three counts of scheme to defraud in the first degree, and two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Police say the alleged fraud spans multiple incidents dating back to 2024.
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Cruise tickets for a trip that “did not exist,” police say
According to the police department’s release, in July 2024, Thomas allegedly collected $35,753.98 from nine victims for a Royal Caribbean Cruise. But when the group arrived at the port in Bayonne, N.J., they were told the tickets were for a cruise that did not exist.
Destination wedding deposits allegedly taken, bookings never made
That same month, police say Thomas also allegedly received $5,000.00 from two people for a destination wedding to an ALG Vacations resort — but the venues were never booked.
Authorities also allege Thomas collected additional payments for other members of the wedding party, and that victims were not refunded.
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Family group trip to the Dominican Republic allegedly unpaid
In September 2024, another customer told police they booked a birthday trip to the Dominican Republic through Thomas’s agency, paying $10,034.16 for themselves and 50 family members, according to the release. Police say Thomas never paid for the accommodations, and the family was not refunded.
Court appearance and plea
Thomas was arraigned on Jan. 6 in the First District Court of Hempstead, N.Y. According to CBS News, she pleaded not guilty and was expected back in court on Thursday, Jan. 8.
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Claims about the business and online complaints
According to Thomas’s website, Destiny Travel NY has been in business since 2016 and advertises trips to destinations including the Maldives, French Polynesia, Croatia, Italy and Vietnam.
The agency says it offers destination wedding planning, travel support, and group travel planning. It also claims endorsements and certifications from the American Society of Travel Advisors, Sandals Resorts, and Disney Resorts, among others.
Online reviews on Google and TheKnot similarly accuse the agency of scamming customers out of thousands of dollars and failing to provide refunds.
Additionally, the Better Business Bureau graded Destiny Travel NY with an F for “failure to respond to 3 complaint(s) filed” against the business.
