SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Imagine booking a trip to the perfect getaway, and moments before leaving, the trip gets canceled.
That's what investigators say happened to dozens of northeastern Pennsylvanians because of a travel agent who scammed them.
In a 28/22 News follow-up, Reporter Gianna Galli took a closer look at the case with a growing number of alleged victims.
One of those alleged victims, Scranton woman Nancy Scott, told Galli she was looking forward to traveling abroad last fall.
She and her family were just moments from leaving for the airport when plans changed.
"Trust no one. You cannot trust anyone," Scott stated.
Scott says life has been tough for her these last few months.
She says she lost $5,000 back in October on a travel package she purchased through Thompson Tours.
Eileen Miner runs the Kingston-based business. Investigators say she stole Scott's money and many others after promising them trips to their dream destinations.
For Scott, it was supposed to be a trip with family to Italy.
"In fact, my brother and I were shopping that day. we just got home from shopping about 2:30 and we were supposed to meet at 4 to get the bus to the airport and we got this email around that time saying the trip has been canceled," Scott explained.
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She immediately tried to track down Miner at one of her company's locations.
"There was no office available. They hadn't been there in years. Immediately, my gut said there's something wrong. I smelled a rat," Scott added.
Police arrested Miner last fall and since then the number of victims has piled up.
Since last month, 59 more counts of theft and felony fraud have been filed against her.
"Oh, we know for a fact that more are out there," Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce said.
Sanguedolce says in each case, Miner defrauded victims of trips ranging between $5,000 and $10,000.
"It appeared to be a reputable company that eventually went sideways. I think everyone needs to be skeptical anytime they are giving people money, especially in this amount," Sanguedolce continued.
"I didn't do my research and this is what happens when you don't do your research," Scott added.
Now, she is part of a group whose planned vacation turned into a nightmare.
"It's just money and it's just a trip and I've been over that but it's just the fact that so many people have been taken advantage of," Scott explained.
Scott is one of several people who claim they were victims.
Miner is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from clients.
If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison per charge. Her next court date is scheduled for January 22.
