The ABC7 I-Team is conducting an investigation into a Chicago travel agent who is accused of abandoning clients on their vacations and disappearing with large sums of money.
People from all over the country told the I-Team the travel agent owes them money
A local woman alleges her family handed over tens of thousands of dollars to the travel agent, Laticha Douglas, for a trip to Aruba. However, she claims the agent failed to book their hotel rooms and vanished with their funds.
People in other states said they were ripped off too. Now, police are investigating.
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Katherine Jones-Young couldn’t wait to throw her sister an epic birthday celebration in Aruba.
“Us gathered together, like we’re going to go down to Aruba. Let’s go down here and celebrate and have a great time,” Jones-Young said.
The Oak Forest resident mentioned that everyone in their group had paid Latisha Douglas in advance. Jones-Young, who had previously had a positive experience with the agent, was again expecting a seamless trip.
For this journey to Aruba, her household alone spent over $5,500. However, upon reaching Aruba, they encountered a significant issue at the resort.
“They informed us, ‘You have no reservation with us,'” recounted Jones-Young. “‘There was no payment received. Your reservations were canceled a week ago due to non-payment.'”
In a state of panic, Jones-Young stated that the group was unable to contact the travel agent, and the Flygirl World Travel website had been shut down.
She said she posted about Douglas on social media and tagged the travel agent. That’s when Jones-Young said she heard from hundreds of people who said the same travel agent ghosted them too.
“That’s when I realized, she’s taken our money,” Jones-Young said. “She’s not going to respond to us, and we have nowhere to stay.”
What can I do to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else? Because I felt responsible for ruining my sister’s trip, by referring this person who ended up defrauding us.
Katherine Jones-Young traveler
Michelle Griffin in Bowie, Maryland said she paid Douglas nearly $4,000 for a trip to Egypt this upcoming October, but never received her confirmation details.
“This can’t be possible,” Griffin said. “This can’t be real.”
Earlier this month, Griffin said she received an email from Douglas, saying, “if you have not heard yet, Flygirl World Travel has closed its doors and all future trips booked have been cancelled.”
“Girl, where’s my money? Why would you do this to people?” Griffin said. “We are just regular people trying to see the world like you, and you have no idea what it’s like for you to steal $4,000 dollars from somebody, and to just send me a letter and tell me you’re sorry.”
In the email, Douglas cited “financial mistakes” and “bad business choices,” but added “I did not set out to scam or steal from you.”
Douglas recommended that customers dispute charges with their card issuer. However, Griffin said her card issuer denied her claim because it has been more than 90 days.
“Just can’t do people like that and get away with it,” Griffin said.
The I-Team heard from consumers in Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee and Oklahoma who said they lost money dealing with Douglas.
The Oak Forest Police Department told the I-Team they are investigating the travel agent. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office said they have received 10 complaints against Flygirl World Travel and Laticha Douglas, with most being filed in the last few weeks.
The Attorney General’s Office said “the complaints involve allegations the business failed to provide promised services, including canceling reservations without providing refunds and failing to provide travel itineraries or making reservations for trips despite being paid to do so… we will be working with consumers in an attempt to mediate complaints.”
Jones-Young said her group in Aruba ended up having to pay thousands more out of pocket for their rooms.
“I sat there in Aruba, so upset, and I said, ‘What can I do to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else?’ Because I felt responsible for ruining my sister’s trip, by referring this person who ended up defrauding us,” Jones-Young said. “She definitely needs to be stopped.”
The I-Team has tried calling and emailing Douglas several times and still has not heard back.
In an email to customers, the travel agent said she had deep shame and regret for violating her customers’ trust. The people the I-Team spoke with said they don’t want to hear any of that; they just want their money back.
People are encouraged to contact the FBI if they believe they’ve lost money dealing with this travel agent, or if they’ve been victimized by any travel or internet scam.
You are encouraged to file a complaint here: Ic3.gov. The public can also schedule an in-person appointment or provide information by calling their local FBI Field Office. The FBI Chicago Field Office can be reached at: (312) 421-6700.
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