In South Elgin, Illinois, the ABC7 I-Team has launched an investigation into a local travel agent accused of swindling customers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars without fulfilling their travel bookings.
The alleged misconduct has drawn attention across the country, prompting an FBI inquiry into the matter.
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The travel agent in question, Ryne Vitug, who also practices law, is now facing disciplinary proceedings due to his alleged involvement in this travel-related fraud.
This investigation has now reached a federal level, with the FBI actively involved.
“We are working to identify individuals who may have fallen victim to a recent travel fraud scheme,” stated Michael Goldberg from the FBI’s Chicago office.
The FBI is urging those who might be affected by Vitug’s actions to come forward, as they suspect he collected payments from clients without arranging their vacations as promised.
Jason Anderson says he lost nearly $10,000 to Vitug. He says he was referred by a friend who had used him before, claiming he offered deep discounts.
“You kind of go, okay, is this legitimate or not?” Anderson said. “So, what I did is, I booked a small trip, my brother his two kids and wife, to come out from Denver the following weekend… “It went off without a hitch, so I thought, wow, this is legitimate.”
Vitug earned his trust, so Anderson booked a bigger family trip to Florida.
“Six adults, four children, two of them handicap, and when I was looking at everything online, it was going to be like an $18,000 tri,” Anderson said. “Ryne priced it out and it was around $9,000. So, of course we’re going to book with him.”
Anderson sent the travel agent a total of $9,500 three months ahead of the trip via Venmo.
“He’s like basically stringing me along, basically making me think that something is going to happen, up until 48 hours,” Anderson said. “And then, nothing. He goes dead silent and doesn’t respond to me at all.”
Anderson says he had to spend another $25,000 on last-minute bookings.
“I pretty much realized I was cooked at that point, that it was all just a farse,” Anderson said.
Anderson started doing research and learned he wasn’t alone. He created a website to warn consumers about Vitug. Through the site, Anderson says he has connected with more than 300 people across the country who had similar experiences.
“Our story is frustrating, but some people who were like, ‘This is a cruise for my mom who is dying of cancer,’” Anderson said.
The Illinois Supreme Court’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint against Vitug, who is also an attorney.
According to the complaint, since 2022, Vitug “communicated with hundreds of individuals by email and text messages offering to secure travel packages, concert tickets, event tickets and flight passes at discounted prices for them.” The complaint also says Vitug “accepted at least $1.5 million in funds from individuals… and then failed to provide the items or issue a refund.”
Vitug’s attorney responded with a 78-page answer to the complaint, saying his client admits to receiving money from individuals for travel and event-related transactions and acknowledges some failures in delivering services or issuing timely refunds, but disputes that his actions were intentional fraud or dishonest conduct and argues that he was not required to use particular customer payments for specific purchases. He goes on to state that he provided travel or refunds in some instances but was unable to fulfill all transactions.
“We take fraud cases very seriously, and we prioritize victims, whether it’s a couple hundred dollars or it’s an entire life savings,” Goldberg said.
As the FBI seeks information from people who believe they are victims, Anderson hopes authorities will take action.
“My goal is try to get justice for all of us,” Anderson said.
Some of the travel agents’ alleged customers say they plan to sue the travel agent.
The I-Team tried reaching out to Vitug for a comment but still has not heard back.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of Vitug can file a complaint with the FBI by clicking here: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/RyneVitugVictims
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