Miami travel agency owner arrested amid claims of stealing thousands from vacationers

MIAMI, Okla. — Miami Oklahoma Police said there have been hundreds of reports that Wiford Tour and Travel allegedly took thousands of dollars from vacationers, causing some to miss out on trips they had been planning for months.

Diahann Wiford was taken into custody at the Ottawa County Jail and faces a charge for passing bad checks.

However, police said she is also being investigated for allegedly stealing money through the travel agency Wiford Tour and Travel, a company that police believe she co-owns.

“We started taking reports Friday and we put a thing on Facebook that says hey if you’ve been a victim, please contact us and currently we’re a little over 500 nearing up to 600 people that have reported being victims of this alleged scam,” said Thomas Anderson, Chief of the Miami Police Department.

Customers reported they purchased vacations through the agency but never received their tickets.

Earlier this month, Discover Branson posted about the closing of the Wiford Tour and Travel agency, listing other names they were believed to be operating under.

In the post, they said, “We have not collected any money from their clients and have not been paid for many tickets purchased this week. The only company that has collected consumer money is Wiford Travel.”

“I know there’s hundreds of thousands of dollars and there’s victims all over the region. We’ve been in touch with the Attorney General’s office, I believe they’re going to assume this investigation just because of the magnitude and it’s more in their wheelhouse for that,” Anderson said.

Miami police ask that anyone with allegations regarding Wiford Tour and Travel fill out an online complaint form through the Attorney General Office’s Consumer Protection Unit.

NewsChannel 8 spoke with Jarrett Hardwick, a Travel Advisor with Royal Treatment Travel, who shared tips for vacationers seeking a trusted travel agent or agency.

“People just need to be careful and be mindful of who they’re talking with. I highly advise if you know someone who’s in a travel agency, talk with them, and if you know them personally book with them and you can alleviate some of that concern. But again, just do your research before you book with anyone especially before you give out sensitive information,” said Hardwick.

The investigation is still ongoing, and no charges have been pressed.

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