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Viewing cable 09BUENOSAIRES1288, ARGENTINA: INTERNET TRAVEL AGENCY SCAM IN BUENOS AIRES

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09BUENOSAIRES1288 2009-11-25 16:42 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Buenos Aires
VZCZCXYZ0110
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1288/01 3291643
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251642Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0099
INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001288 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPT FOR CA/FPP, WHA/AND, DS/ICI/CR 
DEPT ALSO PASS TO KCC 
POSTS FOR FRAUD PREVENTION MANAGERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS KFRD ASEC SMIG PE AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: INTERNET TRAVEL AGENCY SCAM IN BUENOS AIRES 
 
1.  SUMMARY:  Between February and November 2009, Post received 
eight NIV applications from Argentines who won low-fare travel 
packages with Vacations724.com and related companies, who were 
later charged undefined fees once the applicants provided the 
companies with their credit card numbers.  While we cannot identify 
how extensive the scam is, our investigation suggests one owner has 
set up a ring of front companies, and is making substantial money 
off of marginally qualified applicants.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
 
------------------ 
 
How the Scam Works 
 
------------------ 
 
 
 
2.  The duped travelers hear about Vacations724.com and related 
travel agencies through advertisements on local radio shows.  After 
calling in and answering simple questions like, "Who is the most 
famous mouse in the world?" the radio host informs the caller that 
s/he has  "won" a special promotional fare for travel packages 
which include cruises and hotels in Kissimmee, Orlando, and Miami 
and directs them to call a travel agency, which then transfers them 
to a call center in the United States.  While the travel agencies 
have several different names, including Vacations724.com, 
bueno.com, vuelas.com, Universalenlinea.com, 
mundomagicoorlando.com, and Reino Magico, the Fraud Prevention Unit 
(FPU) discovered that all of the websites are registered to the 
same owners.  Once the travelers give their credit card information 
to book the promotional fare, they begin to receive undefined 
charges in Mexican pesos from "My Mexicaribe."  Clients usually end 
up paying more for their travel package than they would if they had 
purchased the services directly.  The agency also charges for bogus 
services like "visa letters" for the visa interview.  Nonetheless 
(or not completely bogus), for those travelers willing to pay the 
price, it appears the agency does provide the agreed upon 
reservations and services. 
 
 
 
3.  The case of Argentine traveler Carolina Millone provides one 
example of how the scam works.  Millone told the Fraud Prevention 
Unit (FPU) that Vacations724.com offered her a promotional package, 
which she promptly paid for with her credit card.  She and the 
company agreed on the phone that she would travel in January, but 
shortly after their conversation she received a letter saying that 
her travel was scheduled for December.  When she responded that she 
could not travel then and preferred the original dates agreed upon 
in the phone call, "My Mexicaribe" charged her USD 198 to 
"reactivate" her reservation because  she had "cancelled her 
travel" in addition to USD 448 for other "taxes and reservation 
expenses."  Doing her own research, Millone found that the taxes 
charged were far higher than the ones stated on the hotels' 
websites.  After she complained, the company changed her 
cancellation status to "no show" status and charged only 99 USD. 
"My Mexicaribe" then charged her credit card again for undefined 
expenses right before her travel date.  Total charges amounted to 
USD 2,146.88 over the promotional fare. 
 
 
 
----------------------- 
 
Who is Behind the Scam? 
 
----------------------- 
 
 
 
4.  FPU has not been able to decisively determine the full scope of 
the scam, but has made some initial discoveries.   All of the 
travel agency websites listed above are registered to Josh Schwartz 
and Soledad Martinez.  Soledad Martinez was also identified as "the 
owner" by a Vacations724.com travel agent.  Booking contracts show 
that Vacations724.com is registered under license number ST25963. 
However, FPU could not locate Vacations724.com or any of the other 
travel agencies under that registry license number in Florida. 
While Vacations724.com's letter states their address is 1717 North 
Shore Drive, Miami, Google Maps shows this is a Marriott Hotel.  A 
Vacations724.com travel agent said their office address is 4500 
Sable Palm Road in Miami.  Several agents, including Sandy Rivas, 
Frida Mabel, Laura Alvarez, Lourdes Cede????o, Gustavo Garcia and 
Flora Herrera, respond to phone calls and emails for 
 
Vacations724.com, but transfer calls as soon as a problem with a 
client occurs.  The phone numbers provided in the visa letter, 
305-371-0727/7144, are registered under "Universal en Linea" at 600 
NE 36th Street in Miami; but Google Maps shows no company under 
that name registered at that address.  According to Cecilia 
Millone, a Mexican branch should be located at Avenida Playas #66 
Manzana 14, Supermanzana 30, Cancun, Quintana Roo 77509, but FPU 
could not find that address through Google Maps. According to FCS, 
none of these travel agencies have ever participated in The 
International Pow Wow, the travel industry's premier international 
event in Argentina and the largest generator of Argentine travel to 
the U.S. 
 
 
 
----------------------- 
 
Scamming Throughout WHA 
 
----------------------- 
 
 
 
5.  It appears Vacations724.com and related agencies have actively 
recruited throughout WHA, often attracting unqualified visa 
applicants.  A CCD text search revealed that 48 out of the 89 
applicants who applied for visas in WHA consulates for 
Vacations724.com trips were refused for not overcoming 214b.  NIV 
case comments in cases from various WHA Posts mention that 
Vacations724.com trips are fraudulent.  Trip Advisor, an online 
travel forum, features warnings from travelers who similarly "won" 
a Vacations724.com package through a radio show and subsequently 
paid thousands of dollars or had credit cards charged without their 
knowledge. 
 
 
 
6.  COMMENT:  Constantly evolving, Vacations724.com is currently 
offering radio show giveaways under the new name Reino Magico.  FPU 
has no reason to believe that visa applicants are complicit in the 
scam.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
 
MARTINEZ 
MARTINEZ