A Filipina tricked about 100 compatriots who dreamt of spending Christmas with their loved ones back home, pocketed the money and left the country with her family.
Carmen Roi Hernandez offered people extremely reduced Dubai-Maila-Dubai fares, according to a report in Al Khaleej.
She introduced herself as a teacher of an international school to ‘victims’ and convinced them that she could offer ‘staff fare’ as the owner of the school is a director of an airline company.
She collected Dh2,800 on a ticket from each person, which is far below than the current peak-time Dh4,000-Dh6,000 fares and booked the tickets at Al Qadi Tourism LLC.
Meanwhile, the travel agency owner said Carmen was his client and that she owes him money, too. He is upset that his agency has been dragged into the scam.
He said victims should have been careful as no way can fares be as cheap as what she offered during peak times such as March and December. “Also there is no ticket without a number”.
Some of his victims learnt they were duped only at the airport, when they were told by officials that their bookings had been cancelled or are invalid.
Advising travellers officials said, it is always best to deal with travel agents directly and re-confirm tickets.
Some victims are more guilty than others because they introduced their friends and acquaintances to the suspect to avail cheaper fares.
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