In one instance, the company, known as Dulcet Travel & Tours, had sold an 11-day, nine-night tour to Europe to five people at about RM12,000 (US$2,961).
Thirty individuals have lodged separate police reports after a tour agency in Kuala Lumpur scammed customers of at least hundreds of thousands of ringgit in deposits for various tour packages.
In one instance, the company, known as Dulcet Travel & Tours, had sold an 11-day, nine-night tour to Europe to five people at about RM12,000 (US$2,961).
Individuals had paid deposits of up to 30% of the full amount for their holidays, only to realise they had been scammed when the tour agency could not be contacted.
The agency’s website was no longer functioning, while its Facebook page, which had good reviews, became inaccessible.
Even customers who exercised caution before committing to the tour were taken in.
One victim had checked the company’s background before making payment. After finding it was registered under the Companies Commission of Malaysia and the Tourism Board of Malaysia, he had gone ahead and booked a trip to Turkey for two at RM12,000, The Star reported.
Elsewhere, a victim who had booked a nine-day, eight-night trip to Japan and paid a deposit of RM5,000 was refunded most of the amount after the company cancelled the trip.
The full fare of RM9,000 for two was inclusive of meals, free entry to Disneyland and accommodation at a four-star hotel.