Dozens of Adelaide travellers left stranded by eastern suburbs travel agency contractor’s alleged fraud
DOZENS of first-class and business travellers from Adelaide have been left stranded or out of pocket after an elaborate alleged fraud by a contractor at an eastern suburbs travel agency.
DOZENS of first-class and business travellers from Adelaide have been left stranded or out of pocket after an elaborate alleged fraud by a contractor at an eastern suburbs travel agency.
Axis Travel owner Max Najar said his business had uncovered allegedly fraudulent behaviour three weeks ago and immediately called the police, who have since arrested and charged a man.
He said the Fullarton agencyhad already paid $180,000 to honour interstate and overseas bookings for the travellers to make sure they completed their trips and were able to fly home, but another 25 private clients of the alleged fraud had been stranded or not able to leave Adelaide. A dozen passengers were also being assisted back to Adelaide.
Mr Najar said Axis Travel was in “rescue mode” and “managing each file meticulously based on the information we have in hand”.
The charged man, who was contracted to the firm in 2013, had allegedly failed to buy tickets and other items for travellers. They had paid money into the travel agency’s bank account but the payments were allegedly assigned to other travellers via an elaborate scheme.
“Axis Travel terminated its relationship with the contractor on June 29 after we identified what appeared to be financial misconduct. He has since been arrested by police and charged with various offences,’’ Mr Najar stated in a letter to clients after the alleged fraud was discovered.
“We have already identified that some clients have been issued with false travel documents,’’ the statement alleged.
“If you have any concerns in that regard please contact us so that we can check that you have been issued with valid tickets for your travel arrangements.”
The Advertiser was contacted by two travellers angry with the alleged fraud. Mr Najar said he was “looking after” them.
“All affected clients have been honoured to date with zero clients not able to board flights or check into hotels or cruises as long as we are aware of their travel plans,’’ Mr Najar said.
“Some clients have been issued E Tickets and travelled and are totally unaware of what has happened as we have honoured over $180,000 worth of travel in past three weeks. Most in first and business class.
The Advertiser understands police are also investigating if private clients were also defrauded but not through Axis Travel.
It is understood around 25 clients allegedly made direct bookings with the man rather than the company, meaning Axis Travel have no way of proving if record of the transactions or transfer of money is legitimate.
SAPOL has frozen via court order a bank account purporting to be an Axis Travel account, but the company cannot question the bank about the account because it has no access to it.
Mr Najar called for better controls in the industry and said the man had passed all security checks when contracted by his company in 2013.
“To use our integrity, our good name, my name and defraud us all has been damaging and totally uncalled for as we did all the checks and balances in 2013/2014, the police checks, ASIO, AMEX Fraud division, and others before he was contracted in late 2013,’’ Mr Najar alleged.
“He was 100 per cent cleared with zero items against his name but the courts systems and the verification system for employers needs to be improved, even at an annual cost to us employers. “Strengthening such reporting or communication is not 100 per cent perfect but it will go towards flagging concerns.’’
Police said Sturt CIB detectives had arrested a 44-year-old Parkside man and charged him with dishonestly dealing with documents. Investigations were continuing. The man was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 8.
The contractor could not be contacted for comment.