Destination dreams dashed in alleged East Meadow travel scam

Imagine paying a travel agent thousands of dollars for a destination wedding, only to find out they never booked the venue. 

That’s what police say Tavia Thomas, the owner of Destiny Travel in East Meadow, did to two of her clients in 2024. The couple allegedly paid nearly $8,000 for the location and were not given a refund. 

And detectives say they weren’t the only victims. The 47-year-old from Hemaptead is also accused of pocketing more than $35,000 from nine people for a Royal Caribbean cruise. When the victims showed up to board the ship, they were told their tickets were fraudulent and the cruise they booked didn’t exist.

She’s also accused of collecting more than $10,000 for a 75th birthday party in the Dominican Republic for 50 family members, but not actually paying for the rooms. No refunds were given, police said.

Thomas had been operating out of a storefront that has since was taken over by another, non-travel company at The Meadows shopping center.

She’s charged with grand larceny and scheme to defraud, authorities said.

Police are asking anyone else who feels they may also be a victim of Thomas to call 911.  

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Tavia Thomas (inset) had been operating out of a storefront that since was taken over by another company at The Meadows shopping center. Credit: Andrew Rappaport. Inset: Nassau County