Calgary couple charged after allegedly operating fraudulent travel business

A stock photo of an airplane. (Unsplash/Eva Darron)

A Calgary couple is facing charges after allegedly operating a fraudulent travel business that bilked would-be vacationers out of thousands of dollars.

Police launched an investigation last August after a woman came forward to report that she had been defrauded out of $1,900 by a travel agent operating for a company named I.N TravelPh.

“The travel agent had agreed via text message to book a vacation package for the woman on Friday, July 18, 2025,” police explained in a news release. “When the woman contacted the resort to confirm her booking, she was told no reservation or payment had been received.”

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Police say the woman tried several times to get a refund from the travel agent, but wasn’t reimbursed.

Officers received more complaints about the same travel agent later in August 2025.

“Victims from across Canada and the Philippines reported paying for travel services that were never fulfilled,” police explained. “In most cases, payment was requested by e‑transfer. After sending money, victims did not receive confirmation of their vacation or airfare bookings.”

The estimated total loss is more than $200,000, according to police.

The total losses for the four victims based in Calgary is $17,000.

“Investigators believe the travel agent’s husband’s bank account was being used for fraudulent transactions and money laundering,” police said.

The investigation culminated with the search of a home in the 8500 block of 19 Avenue S.E. on Jan. 27.

A husband and wife, both in their 30s, are facing charges of defrauding a person over $5,000 and laundering proceeds of crime.

Both are scheduled to next appear in court on April 7.