Their monies back or legal consequences for suspected fraudsters.
This is what’s being sought by a group of locals who claim to have lost thousands of rands invested in a 16-day tour of Thailand that never materialised.
Firgrove resident Fiona Stewe claims she and many other Helderbergers fell victim to ostensibly reputable tour organisers who apparently pocketed their hard-earned savings forked out for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The 58-year-old further alleges she and others from Firgrove, Raithby, Strand and Somerset West were among a bigger group of reportedly about 80 from across the province who made headlines after apparently being deceived out of R2 million. They resorted to laying criminal charges against the organisers.
Stewe recalled responding to a flyer shared on social media in June 2022. It advertised the 16-day and 14-night trip to Thailand at R26 000 per person by the organisers, a Somerset West couple known for successfully planning international tours every second year.
The holiday package included stays in luxury hotels, daily breakfast, guided excursions, all flights, airport taxes, and transfer costs, as well as standard travel insurance. To avoid disappointment, interested parties were required to pay a R5 000 deposit, which was negotiable, by the end of June 2022; the balance was payable over 18 months, the final payment due by December last year.
Not only did Stewe make all the necessary payments to ensure her spot on the trip, but she helped persuade other family members across the basin to join in on what was supposed to be a dream getaway from Thursday 20 June to Saturday 6 July.
She was also looking forward to sharing the memorable trip with her sister Loueen Isaacs and her brother-inlaw, Gaston, who would have celebrated his 65th birthday abroad.
Red flags spotted
Stewe said as excitement was building for the much-anticipated trip and group members started enquiring about the final arrangements, a lack of communication and answers without substance from the seemingly evasive tour organisers raised the first of many red flags. “Since January we started asking for information to prepare for the trip and [the organisers] kept beating about the bush, coming up with all sorts of excuses why they cannot divulge any details regarding the trip as yet,” said Stewe, who further recalled Helderberg group members becoming more concerned in months to come, later fearing the worst after receiving an itinerary, which turned out to be fake.
“Some of the bookings and confirmations could not be verified and the situation just didn’t add up.”
Extensive interactions, which rendered fruitless, and continued unsatisfactory feedback resulted in an in-person meeting on Saturday 15 June with the main organiser, who relayed about 20 attending group members’ feelings and assured them that the trip would go ahead should they manage to hurdle a few stumbling blocks.
After the woman apparently failed to follow through on the alleged promise of confirmation later that evening and no response to follow-up enquiries were received, a number of disgruntled group members banded together on Sunday 16 June and took to her home where they were denied access by security at the gate. The failed action apparently prompted a meeting called by the woman in Strand on Monday 17 June, when a lawyer, apparently representing the organiser, informed those present there was no tour and the organisers did not have funds to reimburse anybody.
“There were no explanations,” said Stewe, who was among others who turned to the police and opened cases at stations in their respective corners of the basin. “We trusted them, thinking they are an upstanding couple, well-known in the community and church, and boasting a good track record. We never anticipated this ‘scam’.”
On enquiry, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette was informed that a case, which was initially opened by a complainant at Strand Police Station, will be investigated collectively, as one docket with numerous complaints forming part of the investigation undertaken by the provincial Commercial Crime Unit. The newspaper managed to contact the complainant who expressed complete dismay at the complex situation, which feels like riding out a roller-coaster of emotions: “You go through so many emotions, from disappointment and heartache to anger and frustration, and hope somehow it all will be resolved.”
The complainant is one of many who were enticed by what appears to be the exact same holiday package offered by a tour agent who organised the trip under a business name of seemingly good repute, but who allegedly used the services of the same tour organisers.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed a case of fraud is being investigated. “Eighteen complaints, from the Helderberg area, have been received and statements obtained. However, the possibility cannot be excluded that this number can increase,” Van Wyk said. “No arrests have yet been made.”
