Agent pleads guilty to ripping off clients

Agent pleads guilty to ripping off clients
By admin


A respected Darwin travel agent has pleaded guilty to robbing customers of almost $170,000 while suffering from a gambling problem and stress.

Jennifer Kaye Pfitzner, 57, who ran Travelscene Darwin City, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing in two week’s time, ntnews.com.au reported.

Pfitzner vanished in early 2012 amid claims that she had ripped off customers. She was later tracked down by detectives, arrested and admitted to 11 counts of stealing at NT Supreme Court late last week.

The story led to a damage-limitation response from Travelscene American Express in February 2012 who said they had terminated her membership the previous November after Pfitzner failed to return calls from head office. 

The court heard that two of her victims were sisters aged 84 and 90 who were planning a cruise.

The grandmother of eight, said to be a trusted travel agent, was said to have repaid about $24,000 to some clients.

Ian Rowbottom, defending, said Pfitzner’s marriage has collapsed after years of abuse, and her business was in tatters at the time she robbed her clients..

She became well known for using the pokies at Nightcliffe Sports Club and Sky City Casino “because they make you feel welcome”, Ntnews.com.au reported.

“The lights were on but no-one was home,” Rowbottom was quoted as saying.

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