Ladies & Luggage journey company, Dacia Woods accused of taking hundreds from Chicago-area girls, abruptly closing earlier than journeys

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team is investigating one more alleged journey agent rip-off. The newest sufferer is a lady who says she’s owed greater than $10,000, and she or he’s not alone.

The proprietor is accused of taking giant funds from clients and shutting her enterprise earlier than their journeys.

The case now has the eye of the Illinois Attorney General, and the Georgia Attorney General as nicely.

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A lady in Elgin says her journey to Dubai was canceled by the company final yr, and she or he’s nonetheless ready to get her a refund.

Virginia Gasber is retired and at all times in search of alternatives to see the world.

“I’ve been to Australia. I’ve been to the Caribbean,” Gasber mentioned. “Seeing new sights, doing new things.”

Gasber got here throughout a journey company, referred to as Ladies & Luggage, on Facebook, promoting an unforgettable journey to Dubai within the title of sisterhood, with 20 girls. She says the proprietor, Dacia Woods, had apparently deliberate different journeys for giant teams up to now that had been mentioned to achieve success. They had a number of conferences concerning the upcoming Dubai journey through zoom.

“She was able to answer questions, she put things out there that we were going to do and plus she posted other things like other people that went on trips with her and what their reactions and what fun they had,” Gasber mentioned. “I’m feeling like my money was going to be in her capable hands.”

Gasber says she made funds main as much as the journey, totaling greater than $10,000. But she says every week earlier than her huge trip, she obtained an e-mail from the proprietor.

“It is with a heavy heart that i write to inform you of the closure of Ladies & Luggage, effective immediately,” the e-mail learn partly. ‘Looking again, I understand now that i ought to have been extra current within the monetary aspect of the enterprise.”

“Where’s my cash?” Gasber said. “It stills comes all the way down to, okay positive you are closing, okay, the place’s my cash.”

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More than a year later, the Elgin woman says she still hasn’t gotten her money back, and she’s not alone.

“It’s been a troubling state of affairs for these girls throughout the nation,” attorney Juan Thomas said.

Thomas says he’s heard from more than 60 women, including several from the Chicago area, who say they were ripped off by the same agency.

“They’re not simply taking place to Miami for the weekend,” Thomas said. “These are journey s to Greece, South Africa, different elements of Europe… and these journeys are getting canceled and they do not get their a refund.”

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has received nine complaints against Dacia Woods and Ladies & Luggage. Also, the Georgia Attorney General’s Office told the I-Team it has an “lively and open investigation” into the corporate.

SEE ALSO | Vacationers lose thousands, say Chicago travel agent left them stranded: ‘Where’s my money?’

In a statement to the I-Team, Woods said in part, “I deeply remorse the hardship this has brought about our valued shoppers, staff members, and dependable neighborhood. Recent allegations suggesting that i’ve misappropriated or absconded with firm funds are fully false. Comprehensive monetary data will affirm that each greenback of firm income was allotted solely to authentic enterprise operations and vendor obligations. While Ladies & Luggage has a number of house owners beneath formal authorized agreements confirming shared possession and accountability, I’ve been left to handle this disaster alone.”

But Gasber says she only worked with woods and is holding her solely responsible.

“You can blame anyone you need, however you may have our cash,” Gasber said. “If we did not have a visit, the place is our cash?”

The company’s owner told the I-Team their financial and legal matters are being addressed through legal channels, including a pending bankruptcy filing. ABC7 checked the bankruptcy filing, and it was declared void by the court.

Several women are now considering taking legal action against the owner in the hopes of finally getting their money back.

Remember, Sam is in your aspect! If you may have an issue you need the I-Team to analyze, name 312-750-7TIP.