FBI Chicago investigating journey agent Ryne Vitug of South Elgin, accused of taking cash from clients, not reserving journeys

SOUTH ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team is investigating an area journey agent who’s accused of taking lots of of hundreds of {dollars} from clients and by no means reserving their journeys.

Alleged victims are coming ahead nationwide, and now the FBI is getting concerned.

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The journey agent is Ryne Vitug of South Elgin, who can be an lawyer. He is is dealing with disciplinary motion due to his alleged journey scheme.

It’s a case that has now reached the FBI.

“We are attempting to identify victims in a recent travel-based fraud scheme,” mentioned Michael Goldberg with FBI Chicago.

The FBI is asking potential victims of Vitug to return ahead. The company believes the journey agent defrauded his clients by taking their cash and never following by with reserving their holidays.

Jason Anderson says he misplaced practically $10,000 to Vitug. He says he was referred by a pal who had used him earlier than, claiming he provided deep reductions.

“You kind of go, okay, is this legitimate or not?” Anderson mentioned. “So, what I did is, I booked a small trip, my brother his two kids and wife, to come out from Denver the following weekend… “It went off with out a hitch, so I assumed, wow, that is reputable.”

Vitug earned his trust, so Anderson booked a bigger family trip to Florida.

“Six adults, 4 youngsters, two of them handicap, and once I was taking a look at all the pieces on-line, it was going to be like an $18,000 tri,” Anderson said. “Ryne priced it out and it was round $9,000. So, in fact we’ll guide with him.”

Anderson sent the travel agent a total of $9,500 three months ahead of the trip via Venmo.

“He’s like mainly stringing me alongside, mainly making me suppose that one thing goes to occur, up till 48 hours,” Anderson said. “And then, nothing. He goes lifeless silent and does not reply to me in any respect.”

Anderson says he had to spend another $25,000 on last-minute bookings.

“I just about realized I used to be cooked at that time, that it was all only a farse,” Anderson said.

Anderson started doing research and learned he wasn’t alone. He created a website to warn consumers about Vitug. Through the site, Anderson says he has connected with more than 300 people across the country who had similar experiences.

“Our story is irritating, however some individuals who have been like, ‘This is a cruise for my mother who’s dying of most cancers,'” Anderson said.

The Illinois Supreme Court’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission filed a formal complaint against Vitug, who is also an attorney.

According to the complaint, since 2022, Vitug “communicated with lots of of people by e-mail and textual content messages providing to safe journey packages, live performance tickets, occasion tickets and flight passes at discounted costs for them.” The complaint also says Vitug “accepted at the very least $1.5 million in funds from people… after which failed to offer the gadgets or situation a refund.”

Vitug’s lawyer responded with a 78-page answer to the complaint, saying his client admits to receiving money from individuals for travel and event-related transactions and acknowledges some failures in delivering services or issuing timely refunds, but disputes that his actions were intentional fraud or dishonest conduct and argues that he was not required to use particular customer payments for specific purchases. He goes on to state that he provided travel or refunds in some instances but was unable to fulfill all transactions.

“We take fraud circumstances very critically, and we prioritize victims, whether or not it is a couple hundred {dollars} or it is a life-time financial savings,” Goldberg said.

As the FBI seeks information from people who believe they are victims, Anderson hopes authorities will take action.

“My objective is attempt to get justice for all of us,” Anderson said.

Some of the travel agents’ alleged customers say they plan to sue the travel agent.

The I-Team tried reaching out to Vitug for a comment but still has not heard back.

Anyone who believes they’re a sufferer of Vitug can file a grievance with the FBI by clicking right here: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/RyneVitugVictims