Travel agent wanted by police

Travel agent wanted by police

A second travel agent in as many months is wanted for questioning by detectives for allegedly duping clients out of pre-paid holidays.

Victorian-based Kilmore Travel and Cruise Centre director, Leesa Maxfield, has been accused of reportedly “mishandling bookings” after a large group of clients raised the alarm when they were unable to confirm travel plans finding the agency had suddenly closed its doors this week, Herald Sun reports.

According to the report, detectives are looking into Maxfield and the circumstance of the travel agency’s closure after a group of 64 volunteers paid a total of $95,000 for a trip to Thailand to depart mid-July, and raised the alarm with the police when they discovered flights had been reserved but not paid for and accommodation was never booked.

Another couple is also reportedly out of pocket almost $3000 for holiday plans which included a train trip and cruise, both apparently also never booked.

While the agency was neither a member of AFTA nor ATAS accredited; Travel Weekly confirms the Federation have spoken with detectives in Seymour, north of Melbourne, who are investigating the circumstances of the agency’s closure.

The agency’s website is still active as of 11am, however its phone lines have been disconnected and Maxfield’s facebook page has been taken offline.

Pic credit: Maxfield facebook page / heraldsun.com.au

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

afta atas Cruise Centre Kilmore Travel Kilmore Travel and Cruise Centre Leesa Maxfield melbourne police travel agency travel agent victoria

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]