Operation Knot Fare Targets Cruise Ship Scam

[Jason]

Operation Knot Fare Targets Cruise Ship Scam

Suspect Allegedly Bilked Company Of Thousands Of Dollars

Brian Andrews, MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc.

(CBS4 News) MIAMI A former executive secretary working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines was arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from her former employer by selling cruises to her friends and family.

Maggie Moya worked for RCCL and Celebrity Cruises for 15 years before switching to a job with a South Florida home builder. During those 15 years, police say she booked hundreds of cruises for friends and families, getting them on for free but pocketing the money they paid for herself.

CBS4’s Brian Andrews caught up to Moya as she was arrested this morning on her way to work. She didn’t seem to know what all the commotion was about. "Ms, Moya, do you know why you are being arrested? ‘No.’"

Last April, RCCL fired Moya from her job when she was caught taking a cruise herself, along with more than two dozen other people she had taken along for a complimentary cruise with her.

Upon investigating her computer files further, detectives say they found hundreds of emails she had sent over the years where she admitted to stealing and making money off cruises she sold to others.

When the company confronted her and asked her why, police say she replied, “It was easy money and I found a loophole.”

A Royal Caribbean Spokesperson released the following statement:

“Royal Caribbean does not tolerate any form of criminal activity in its workforce or operations. This is a situation involving a person who appears to have taken advantage of their position for personal gain. We will continue to work closely with the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office to ensure an effective prosecution, to the fullest extent of the law.”

Later police say Moya admitted to selling cruises and making a profit for cash for at least two years. However, police say they have witness statements saying she’s been committing the fraud as far back as the early 90’s.

Officers seized more than a quarter of a million dollars from her accounts, but they say she stole hundreds of thousands more than that.

[JoeyandDavid]

wow....... "loophole" hmmmmm