Horizon Travel charged with fraud

The Arlington, North Texas-based firm’s assets have been frozen to provide reimbursement for Texans who purchased vacation packages with insignificant or no real value, stated the Attorney General’s office.

Moreover, a judge has imposed a temporary restraining order on the owner and fellow defendants, prohibiting them from engaging in business. A temporary injunction hearing is scheduled for 5 June.

The AG’s enforcement action identifies 16 individuals and companies, including David Vavro, the owner of Horizon Travel, and his three companies: Travel Club International, VIP Travel Incentives Inc. and Horizon Travel. The 16 defendants are charged with conspiracy to conceal assets from the government and neglecting to deliver legitimate free trips or travel discounts to travel club members who paid their dues.

Investigators report that Vavro formed several “travel clubs” soon after Sun Country Travel, a similar company where he worked as director, went bankrupt. Using aggressive sales calls and direct mail, Vavro’s firms used false advertising to persuade potential customers to go to sales presentations.

Horizon Travel promised “free vacations” to attendees but the defendants asked for a $100 deposit to acquire travel plans for purchasers. When customers tried to schedule the “free trip,” they were repeatedly told that the travel dates they requested were unavailable. Many customers lost their deposits as their vouchers expired before they could get their “free trips.”