Travel agent arrested for pocketing cruise hopeful’s funds – WMC

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) –

An MLGW employee was arrested at her office on Monday after a side gig as a travel agent turned into a “trip rip” for a group of women who thought they had booked the cruise of a lifetime.

Joyce Moore and 11 of her friends planned their cruise for more than one year. They paid $3,100 in advance for the trip.

“Well, that was just my dream trip,” she said. “This was on my bucket list.”

Two weeks ago, the eager travelers learned that their trip was canceled in mid-August because it had not been paid for.

“Devastated. That’s the only word I have for that,” Moore said.

The group booked the trip through Diamond Tour and Travel Service.

According to an affidavit of complaint, travel agent Barbara Davis pocketed the groups’ fares, which totaled more than $23,000.

At Davis’ house, and at Diamond Tour and Travel Service, no one answered to provide WMC Action News 5 with a comment. But, in a letter written to all 12 women, Davis wrote, “I was trying to handle too much daily and it just fell apart.” She apologized and promised to pay back every penny.

“I hate this happened to her and she has to go through this, but we hate what we have to go through, too,” Moore said.

Moore and her friends are now looking for an alternative.

“Just something, because we’ve got time off and nothing to do with it,” she said.

Davis was released from jail on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on October 21.

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