> At a Glance
> – Tavia Thomas, owner of Destiny Travel NY, was arrested on Jan. 6 for allegedly scamming clients out of $50,788.14
> – Victims paid for a Royal Caribbean cruise, a destination wedding, and a birthday trip-none of which were booked
> – Why it matters: Travelers lost thousands on major life events and were left without refunds or accommodations
A New York travel agent promised dream vacations but delivered disappointment. Prosecutors say Tavia Thomas took payments for cruises, weddings, and group getaways, then left clients stranded.
How the Scam Unfolded
Between July and September 2024, Thomas allegedly collected money for three separate trips that never materialized.
In July 2024, nine clients paid $35,753.98 for a Royal Caribbean cruise. When they arrived at the port in Bayonne, N.J., staff told them the booking didn’t exist.
That same month, two customers handed over $5,000 for a destination wedding at an ALG Vacations resort. The venue was never reserved, and extra payments from wedding-party guests also went unpaid.
In September 2024, a client booked a Dominican Republic birthday trip for her mother and 50 relatives, paying $10,034.16. Again, accommodations were never secured and no refunds followed.
Legal Fallout and Business Background
The Nassau County Police Department charged Thomas with:
- 3 counts of grand larceny in the third degree
- 3 counts of scheme to defraud in the first degree
- 2 counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree
She pleaded not guilty at her Jan. 6 arraignment in the First District Court of Hempstead and is scheduled back in court Jan. 8.
Thomas founded Destiny Travel NY in 2016. The agency’s website lists endorsements from American Society of Travel Advisors, Sandals, and Disney, though online reviews on Google and TheKnot mirror the recent allegations-customers claim they paid thousands and received nothing.
The Better Business Bureau gives the firm an F rating, citing three unanswered complaints.
Key Takeaways
- $50,788.14 in total alleged losses across three incidents
- 58 victims affected by the unfulfilled bookings
- Multiple online reviews and BBB complaints predate the arrest, suggesting a pattern of unfulfilled bookings
Authorities continue to investigate, and travelers are reminded to verify bookings independently before departure.
