Hawaii vacation agent allegedly defrauded Bay Region people

A Hawaii travel agent has been charged with nearly 4 dozen felonies for allegedly defrauding purchasers, like spouse and children mates and previous classmates, for countless numbers of bucks.

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Wendy Wong, the owner of the now-defunct House of Aloha Hawaii travel agency, was billed previous December with 47 felony counts — 45 of them for failing to refund her clients for excursions that she unsuccessful to ebook, and two more for withdrawing from a organization account “for unapproved reasons.” She was arraigned March 18, and pled not responsible to all of the rates.

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Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Tamalca Harris instructed SFGATE that Wong appeared in court remotely with her attorney thanks to the ongoing pandemic.

In accordance to a KGO investigation, Wong stated a litany of motives for failing to refund her shoppers, citing negative temperature and canceled flights.

Jennifer Sioxson, just one lady who worked with Wong and thought of her a family members good friend, stated that she was remaining with out a lodge by the time she arrived to Hawaii for a vacation. She was forced to fork out for a resort out-of-pocket, she told KGO, but was not able to get a refund from Wong.

“She was a relatives pal, our young ones are friends, she’s hosted my kids at her dwelling numerous occasions, so you know it’s just, I assumed she’d come about,” Sioxson instructed the information outlet.

Another client named Johnny Phan who allegedly booked a trip with at minimum 80 folks costing just about $100,000 to renew wedding day vows, had their trip canceled very last minute by Wong, who once more neglected to refund them for the journey. Phan told KHNL in Hawaii that he trustworthy Wong since they had attended middle school together in Milpitas.

She was not accredited by the point out of Hawaii to be a vacation agent, KHNL documented. The Better Organization Bureau also cited the company, noting that the firm “acquired a pattern of grievances about deal and provider problems” from disgruntled buyers.

The Bureau also said that clients were sent pretend itineraries, leading clients to think that excursions were being booked.

“If there is anyone who thinks they’re a sufferer with Home of Aloha Hawaii, report it to their community legislation enforcement,” Harris instructed SFGATE. Santa Clara County residents can electronic mail [email protected]. The upcoming hearing for this situation will be held May 3, Harris informed SFGATE.

“You experience what you sow. I suggest all these people place their have confidence in in her and their money,” Sioxson instructed KGO.