woman charged for cruise fraud

[Jason]

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers:

APPLETON — A 70-year-old Appleton woman, who allegedly booked a cruise for 14 people and didn’t pay the cruise line or give refunds, was jailed Wednesday on a fraud charge.

Maureen Radtke was jailed on the felony after she refused to talk to police, who executed a search warrant on her financial records last month.

She was expected to make an initial appearance today in Outagamie County Circuit Court.

Police Sgt. Neal Rabas said Radtke met the people she booked for the cruise while she was a part-time dance instructor at the Thompson Community Center.

He said she also booked trips to local casinos through senior centers. He said police aren’t sure where the more than $30,000 she received for the Alaskan cruise went.

“We weren’t able to verify it and she didn’t want to talk to us about it,” he said.

Police said Radtke apparently paid a fee of about $400 to become a contract travel agency through an online business, Prestige Travel. She paid the fee and was given a video and a brochure, he said.

She signed up 15 people — herself and 14 others — for a Heart of Alaska cruise that was scheduled to run from June 15 to 28. The 14 people each paid Radtke $2,195.

“Eventually one person pulled out, and the cruise ended up getting canceled,” Rabas said.

The customers were offered a refund or a Caribbean cruise, and most wanted a refund.

Eventually, one of the customers contacted police after not receiving the refund.

Police seized her financial records Nov. 14, and allege Radtke collected $30,730, but never paid Prestige.

[Jason]

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers:

APPLETON — A 70-year-old Appleton woman, who allegedly booked a cruise for 14 people and didn’t pay the cruise line or give refunds, was jailed Wednesday on a fraud charge.

Maureen Radtke was jailed on the felony after she refused to talk to police, who executed a search warrant on her financial records last month.

She was expected to make an initial appearance today in Outagamie County Circuit Court.

Police Sgt. Neal Rabas said Radtke met the people she booked for the cruise while she was a part-time dance instructor at the Thompson Community Center.

He said she also booked trips to local casinos through senior centers. He said police aren’t sure where the more than $30,000 she received for the Alaskan cruise went.

“We weren’t able to verify it and she didn’t want to talk to us about it,” he said.

Police said Radtke apparently paid a fee of about $400 to become a contract travel agency through an online business, Prestige Travel. She paid the fee and was given a video and a brochure, he said.

She signed up 15 people — herself and 14 others — for a Heart of Alaska cruise that was scheduled to run from June 15 to 28. The 14 people each paid Radtke $2,195.

“Eventually one person pulled out, and the cruise ended up getting canceled,” Rabas said.

The customers were offered a refund or a Caribbean cruise, and most wanted a refund.

Eventually, one of the customers contacted police after not receiving the refund.

Police seized her financial records Nov. 14, and allege Radtke collected $30,730, but never paid Prestige.

[Mebert]

I can't imagine a 70 year old woman, an established member of a community, in the golden years, the sunset of her life, defrauding people like that. How did she think she was going to get away with it?

There must be more to the story.

It always disturbs me when old women are jailed. But, I imagine society must be protected from the elderly if they had malicious intent. I just can't fathom someone with that background doing something like that.

There are some questions.

[Mebert]

I can't imagine a 70 year old woman, an established member of a community, in the golden years, the sunset of her life, defrauding people like that. How did she think she was going to get away with it?

There must be more to the story.

It always disturbs me when old women are jailed. But, I imagine society must be protected from the elderly if they had malicious intent. I just can't fathom someone with that background doing something like that.

There are some questions.

[DaCruzNut]

ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A BRIDGE?

Since I moved to Florida, in 1978, it has been very difficult to maintain a bridge I bought, many years ago. It's an older bridge, but well maintained. It connects Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, and, if you wish, you might want to add a toll...

I can let it go very cheaply!

If you're interested, I also have some land for sale in the western part of Miami-Dade county. It's a beautiful homestead, right near Everglades National Park. If you'd like to see it, let me know and I'll give you a tour.....(Offer not available in rainy season.)

[DaCruzNut]

ANYBODY WANT TO BUY A BRIDGE?

Since I moved to Florida, in 1978, it has been very difficult to maintain a bridge I bought, many years ago. It's an older bridge, but well maintained. It connects Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, and, if you wish, you might want to add a toll...

I can let it go very cheaply!

If you're interested, I also have some land for sale in the western part of Miami-Dade county. It's a beautiful homestead, right near Everglades National Park. If you'd like to see it, let me know and I'll give you a tour.....(Offer not available in rainy season.)

[gogetter]

Hello,

Look on the other side of things...She probably did not plan properly in life to have a decent retirement...so she has to scam people. After all at her age, she probably doesn't care if she gets jailtime...its 3 sqaure meals a day and a roof over her head after spending the 30 g's. :(

[gogetter]

Hello,

Look on the other side of things...She probably did not plan properly in life to have a decent retirement...so she has to scam people. After all at her age, she probably doesn't care if she gets jailtime...its 3 sqaure meals a day and a roof over her head after spending the 30 g's. :(

[GottaCruz]

That's a pretty sad story. :(

Jeff, are you throwing the gators in with the deal?

[GottaCruz]

That's a pretty sad story. :(

Jeff, are you throwing the gators in with the deal?