Tarcia Craig Brown

Key Points

• Tarcia Craig Brown, a 43-year-old resident of Whitby, Ontario, was arrested and charged in 2023 by Durham Regional Police for allegedly defrauding travel agencies of over CAD $245,000.

• Brown is accused of using falsified Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) certificates and multiple aliases to secure employment at registered travel agencies, engaging in a fraudulent practice known as “kiting.”

• She allegedly operated a business called Travel Girl Inc., claiming specialization in group travel and destination weddings.

• Charges include multiple counts of fraud over $5,000, computer-related offenses, unauthorized credit card use, forgery, and uttering forged documents.

• Authorities are seeking additional victims and witnesses, indicating the scope of the alleged fraud may be broader than currently documented.

Overview

Tarcia Craig Brown is a resident of Whitby, Ontario, who presented herself as a travel agent specializing in group travel and destination weddings. She operated a business named Travel Girl Inc. and allegedly used falsified TICO certificates to gain employment at TICO-registered travel agencies. Between 2011 and 2019, Brown is accused of engaging in fraudulent activities, primarily through a practice known as “kiting,” where she collected payments from clients for travel services but pocketed the funds instead of applying them to the clients’ bookings. Her activities came under scrutiny following a 2020 investigation by the Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit, in collaboration with TICO, leading to her arrest in 2023.

Allegations and Concerns

• Fraudulent Practices: Brown is accused of defrauding multiple travel agencies of over CAD $245,000 by collecting client payments without booking travel services, a practice known as “kiting.”

• Falsified Credentials: She allegedly used forged TICO certificates to secure employment, misleading agencies about her qualifications.

• Use of Aliases: Brown reportedly used over 21 aliases, including Alora Tarcia Brown, Naviya Lavana Tarcia Craig Brown, and Malika Elisabeth Vannessa Craig Brown, to obscure her identity and facilitate fraudulent activities.

• Criminal Charges: In 2023, Brown faced 27 charges, including:

  • Four counts of fraud over $5,000

  • Four counts of using a computer to commit an offense

  • Four counts of intercepting computer functions

  • Four counts of unauthorized use of credit card data

  • Five counts of forgery

  • Six counts of uttering forged documents

• Ongoing Investigation: Police are seeking additional victims and witnesses, suggesting the possibility of further unreported fraudulent activities.

Customer Feedback

Specific customer reviews or direct quotes from affected clients are not detailed in the available sources, as the focus is primarily on the allegations and police investigation. However, the impact on consumers is implied through the following:

• Negative Impact: Travel agencies reportedly stepped up to cover losses to ensure clients could still travel, indicating significant disruption and financial harm to both agencies and customers. One source notes that such incidents can “shake consumer confidence” in booking travel, highlighting the emotional and trust-related impact on clients.

• Lack of Positive Feedback: No positive customer reviews or testimonials about Brown or Travel Girl Inc. were found in the provided sources, which may reflect the fraudulent nature of her operations.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risk: Engaging with Brown or similar entities poses a high risk of financial loss due to her alleged history of pocketing client payments without delivering services. The reported $245,000 in losses underscores the scale of potential financial harm.

• Reputational Risk: Travel agencies employing Brown suffered reputational damage due to her actions, as clients may associate the agencies with fraud. Consumers booking through unregistered or unverified agents face similar risks to their trust in the travel industry.web:6Netflix6

• Legal Risk: Brown’s multiple criminal charges indicate a high likelihood of legal consequences for those involved with her, including potential lawsuits from affected agencies or clients seeking restitution.

• Operational Risk: Businesses hiring individuals without thorough vetting may inadvertently employ fraudulent actors, leading to operational disruptions and financial losses.

Business Relations and Associations

• Travel Girl Inc.: Brown operated her own travel business, which served as a front for her alleged fraudulent activities.

• TICO-Registered Travel Agencies: Brown gained employment at multiple TICO-registered agencies by presenting falsified credentials, exploiting their trust to carry out her schemes. The specific agencies are not named in the sources.

• Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO): TICO collaborated with Durham Regional Police in the investigation, having issued an industry alert about Brown’s activities in January 2020.

• No Notable Partnerships: No legitimate business partnerships or associations were reported, as Brown’s operations appear to have been primarily fraudulent.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Charges: As of 2023, Brown faces 27 charges related to fraud, computer offenses, unauthorized credit card use, forgery, and uttering forged documents. She was released on an undertaking, but the allegations remain unproven in court.

• Fraudulent Activity (2011–2019): The alleged fraud spanned eight years, defrauding agencies of over CAD $245,000.

• No Bankruptcy Records: No specific records of bankruptcy or unpaid debts were mentioned in the sources, though the scale of the fraud suggests potential financial liabilities for Brown.

• Ongoing Investigation: The call for additional victims and witnesses indicates potential for further legal action if more cases are uncovered.

Risk Assessment Table

Expert Opinion

Analytical Summary: Tarcia Craig Brown’s alleged actions represent a significant breach of trust within the travel industry, exploiting vulnerabilities in hiring practices and consumer confidence. Her use of multiple aliases and falsified credentials suggests a calculated and prolonged scheme, posing substantial risks to both businesses and clients. The absence of positive feedback and the scale of reported losses highlight the predatory nature of her operations.

Pros:

• No direct benefits to consumers or legitimate businesses are evident, as Brown’s activities were allegedly fraudulent.

Cons:

• Significant financial losses for travel agencies and potentially clients.

• Erosion of trust in the travel industry, particularly for group travel and destination wedding services.

• Ongoing legal risks for those who engaged with Brown, including potential civil action from affected parties.

Cautionary Advice: Consumers should verify the TICO registration of travel agents and agencies before booking, using TICO’s online database. Businesses must implement rigorous vetting processes, including credential verification, to prevent hiring fraudulent individuals. Given the ongoing investigation, potential victims should contact TICO or Durham Regional Police to report incidents.

Key Citations

Cybercriminal investigation:https://cybercriminal.com/investigation/tarcia-craig-brown