Summer is a time for vacations, but also for scams. In L'Escala (Girona), a travel agency that had been operating for years with a good reputation has come under investigation by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police). The police are investigating a possible fraud that, according to those affected, could have left more than 200 families without their vacations. It all started when several customers requested refunds after canceling their reservations and never received a response.
The agency, which operated without a physical office and solely through the internet and social media, had gained the trust of many travelers through word of mouth. It offered packages at very competitive prices, but with one condition: the full amount had to be paid in advance. What seemed like a bargain has turned into a nightmare for hundreds of people, who now face financial losses and the frustration of a vacation that never materialized.
The agency's modus operandi
According to sources, the agency began a few years ago offering last-minute trips at reduced prices. Over time, it transitioned to selling fixed-price packages that were cheaper than market rates because, as the manager explained, it negotiated directly with agencies in the destination countries, eliminating intermediaries. Many customers returned because of their positive experiences and recommended the agency to family and friends.
The only catch was that everything had to be paid for upfront and in full. The owner worked remotely, without a physical office, and maintained contact through a website and social media profiles. A few weeks ago, those channels disappeared. Those affected claim that, until recently, the agency was still offering trips for 2027, suggesting that the scam may have continued until the scandal broke.
The consequences for customers
The problems began when some families decided to cancel their trips. Days passed and they didn't receive a refund, so they went to the Catalan Consumer Agency. More and more cases gradually came to light. One of the most striking is that of a woman who booked a trip to Bali in December for August 2nd. Ten days before departure, she still didn't have her tickets. The representative told her that her license had been revoked and that she couldn't process payments. Finally, two days before the trip, she was informed that she wouldn't be going on vacation.
Other clients did manage to travel, but upon arrival, they discovered their accommodations hadn't been paid for. In some cases, flights were booked but not paid for, so tickets couldn't be issued. Furthermore, the agency had outstanding debts with local businesses. One company that organizes safaris in Tanzania claims the agency owes them $57.000. Several clients called the company directly to confirm their reservations and found their information wasn't even on file.
ongoing investigation
The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) have already received around twenty complaints, although this number is expected to rise in the coming days. Those affected have formed a WhatsApp chat group, which now has over 200 members, and have contacted a lawyer for advice. The agency owner, who initially promised to resolve the situation, is now simply stating that her lawyer will provide updates. Meanwhile, the victims are lamenting not only their financial losses but also the shattered dreams of a vacation they had planned for months.
Police do not rule out the possibility of more victims, as the agency had clients throughout the Garrotxa region and other areas of Girona. Complaints are being filed individually at police stations, and the number of cases is expected to continue rising. Authorities reiterate the importance of verifying the legality of agencies and being wary of offers that demand full payment upfront without guarantees.
This case highlights how a business that operated seemingly normally for years can end up defrauding hundreds of people. The trust placed in the company by its customers, coupled with the lack of a physical office and the opacity of its payments, created the perfect breeding ground for a scam that, according to those affected, could amount to hundreds of thousands of euros. While the investigation continues, the defrauded families are trying to recover their money and, above all, regain the trust they've lost in the travel industry.