Wedding Day Disaster: Travel Agent Steals Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars
A couple’s dream wedding in Mexico turned into a nightmare when they discovered their travel agent had stolen nearly half a million dollars meant for their big day. Bob and Lisa Moran, from the Phoenix area, had trusted their Houston travel agent, Sunita Hedaoo, for years and relied on her to plan previous international trips.
The Discovery
Just two weeks before their luxury destination wedding, the Morans learned that Hedaoo had pocketed the money they had given her to pay for the venue and travel. "I almost didn’t have a wedding," Lisa Moran said. "I’m still in shock… It’s just a sickening feeling to find out a couple weeks before your wedding, it’s probably not going to happen." The couple had spent months planning their picture-perfect wedding at a luxury resort along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but they faced a last-minute nuptial nightmare when they discovered that hundreds of thousands of dollars were missing.
The Investigation
The Morans had sent Hedaoo three wire transfers to cover some of the wedding costs, only to learn days before the ceremony that the resort hadn’t received the money. They were threatened with canceled reservations by the resort, forcing them to spend a small fortune a second time to salvage their big day. "The day I caught her that the wires weren’t coming through, all of a sudden, she said her mom died," Lisa Moran said. The Morans do not believe that story. Adding to their shock, they discovered that the honeymoon they had also paid for had never been booked.
The Consequences
Hedaoo, who operated under the business name "Kora Journeys," had boasted in a 2021 Instagram post about being named a "top travel specialist" in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine. However, she is now charged with theft and accused of stealing more than $423,000 that was intended to cover some of the costs of the Morans’ 80-person wedding. A warrant has been issued for her arrest in Harris County. The Morans won their case against Hedaoo through a default judgment, but they have yet to see a dime of the more than $860,000 they were awarded.
Preventing Similar Scams
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provided tips on how to find a good and reputable travel agent. To avoid falling victim to similar scams, it’s essential to:
- Verify the travel agent’s reputation by visiting BBB.org for accredited agencies, reading client reviews, and seeking recommendations from trusted contacts.
- Ensure the agent takes time to understand your travel needs, does comparison shopping for best deals, and stays updated on travel industry developments.
- Check the agent’s knowledge of popular destinations, local customs, and their ability to inform you about travel restrictions or alerts.
- Confirm that all agreements are provided in writing, with ample time to review the terms, and that payment options include credit card for dispute protection.
- Prioritize dealing with local agents, assess their professionalism and willingness to listen, and verify their credentials, including membership in professional organizations.
Conclusion
The Morans’ story serves as a warning to others to be cautious when dealing with travel agents and to always verify their reputation and credentials. As Bob Moran said, "Trust but verify and I think that’s more important now than ever before." The Morans hope that by sharing their story, they can prevent others from falling victim to similar scams and help bring Hedaoo to justice.
