KUALA LUMPUR: A woman has alleged that she was scammed out of tens of thousands by a travel agency over a failed trip to Switzerland, confronting the agency owner in a tense exchange at a shopping mall that has since gone viral.
In a video widely shared on social media, the woman was seen approaching the agency owner at a mall to demand a refund.
She claimed that she and six others had booked a six-day, five-night trip to Switzerland through the agency, paying over RM40,000 for flight tickets.
However, the promised tickets never materialised, and the agency allegedly went silent months before their scheduled departure.
“Yes, this is a story of how I was lied to by a travel agency that was supposed to provide us with flight tickets, an itinerary, and other items in the package we purchased for seven people.
“So far, I have pursued legal proceedings — I lodged a police report, went to the tribunal, then filed another police report, and so on,” she wrote in her post.
During the confrontation, the woman presented documents from the Consumer Claims Tribunal to support her claims.
The agency owner, however, denied the allegations and requested further proof.
On social media, users expressed shock that the woman had managed to track down the agency owner in public.
Some praised her persistence, while others shared similar experiences of being duped by dubious travel companies.
Several users also claimed they had booked with the same agency, expressing both concern and fear after seeing the video.
The incident has since drawn wider attention online, with many calling for stricter action against fraudulent travel agencies.
Others remarked that the quoted price was “too cheap” given the current exchange rate.
“Please be careful — there’s no need to use agencies. Switzerland is one of the easiest places to visit and move around. Make your own arrangements. Hope you succeed in this case,” said one user.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
