TALLAHASSEE, Fla.––Attorney General Pam Bondi today filed a court action against Harmony International Tours, LLC and its owners, Bradley R. Matheson and Margaret L. Matheson. According to the complaint, Harmony International and its owners offered group travel packages to college, high school, church choir and band groups scheduled to perform in foreign countries and to participate, in some instances, in cultural exchange programs. After receiving payments from the various music groups, the defendants allegedly failed to provide the travel packages and reimburse consumers as promised.
The complaint alleges that the defendants operated the alleged travel scam primarily out of Key West and sold company group travel packages to consumers throughout Florida and the United States. The defendants allegedly accepted consumers’ installment payments knowing that they had no intention of making, or ability to make, the promised travel arrangements. This complaint also alleges violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Attorney General is seeking permanent injunctive relief, full restitution, and the imposition of civil penalties and fees.
The individual defendants pled guilty in San Diego, Calif. to criminal charges of grand theft and failure of seller of travel to deposit and to return funds, and are currently serving prison sentences. The defendants also filed for bankruptcy, all of which may affect consumers’ ability to obtain refunds.
To view the Attorney General’s filed complaint, click here.
Anyone who encounters a travel-related scam or any other scam can file a complaint by calling (866) 9NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
