Toronto man charged in travel agent scam

The man allegedly stole money used by several travelers to book flights over the summer.

Hangfeng Zhang, 22, has been charged for allegedly posing as an online travel agent and defrauding passengers. - TORONTO POLICE SERVICE

A 22-year-old Toronto man is facing charges after police alleged he posed as a travel agent and scammed several travellers into buying fraudulent tickets from him last summer.

Police said in a release on Tuesday that the travellers bought airline tickets ranging in price from $400 to $3,000, by Interac e-transfer from a travel agent between June and August.

These travellers were able to check the airline website and confirm their bookings. But, police said, the fraudulent bookings would be cancelled days later because of issues with a credit card used to book them.

Police said the fraudulent travel agent, who allegedly used several aliases, including Jack Chen and Jason Wang, was able to deposit the e-transfers for the tickets into his own bank account.

Police said they're concerned that there are other victims.

Hangfeng Zhang, 22, was charged on Tuesday with two counts each of fraud under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

He is due in court on November 9.

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/7579727-toronto-man-charged-in-travel-agent-scam/