Hawaii journey agent pleads responsible in Bay Space rip-off
A Hawaii journey agent previously from Milpitas has pleaded responsible after defrauding dozens of Bay Space residents, a few of whom had been her outdated classmates and household pals.
Wendy Wong, the proprietor of a journey company known as Home of Aloha Hawaii, pleaded responsible to 2 felony violations Aug. 23 for failing to return cash for journey companies not offered and for illegally withdrawing funds from enterprise accounts, the Santa Clara District Legal professional’s Workplace stated Monday.
In accordance with a KGO investigation from 2021, Wong would deploy a litany of excuses for why flights and accommodations weren’t booked — alleging that inclement climate and airline troubles brought about cancellations. Wong by no means booked the flights or accommodations within the first place.
Jennifer Sioxson, a household good friend of Wong’s, advised KGO that she was left with no lodge by the point she arrived to Hawaii for a trip. She was compelled to pay for a lodge out-of-pocket, she advised KGO, however was given the runaround by Wong when requested for a refund.
“She was a household good friend, our children are pals, she’s hosted my youngsters at her home many occasions, so you recognize, it is simply, I assumed she’d come round,” Sioxson advised the station.
Wong was not licensed by the state of Hawaii to be a journey agent, based on the Higher Enterprise Bureau. The Higher Enterprise Bureau additionally cited the Home of Aloha Hawaii, stating that the group “acquired a sample of complaints regarding contracts and repair points” from affected prospects.
Wong is scheduled to be sentenced in November. If she pays $155,000 in restitution to her former purchasers, she won’t face jail time — however might be on felony probation for 2 years.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Legal professional Tamalca Harris didn’t reply to a request for remark from SFGATE.
Bay Metropolis Information contributed to this report.