BOWIE, Md. — What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime turned into a nightmare for one Bowie woman, who says she lost nearly $4,000 to a now-defunct travel agency.
Michelle Griffin had been planning an exciting journey to Egypt this fall, booking the trip months in advance through FlyGirl World Travel LLC, an online travel agency operated by Laticha Douglas. But just months before departure, Griffin discovered the trip had been canceled — without her knowledge or consent.
Booked and Paid in Full — Then Silence
Griffin paid the full amount, totaling nearly $4,000, for a tour scheduled for October 12, 2025. She booked the trip in May and was eagerly preparing for the journey.
“I booked a trip to go to Egypt with FlyGirl World Travel in May of 2024,” she told 7News. “Everything seemed fine at the time.”
But as the travel date approached, she started seeing alarming social media posts claiming fraudulent activity tied to the company.
“I found out on July 12 because somebody posted a TikTok,” Griffin said. “I had already been trying to contact her, but I hadn’t been able to reach her. Of course, after that, I started trying to contact her a lot more, and she never responded.”
Apology Letter, But No Refund
After repeated attempts to contact Douglas, Griffin finally received a letter — but instead of a resolution or refund, it simply included an apology.
“My business is closed. I’m so sorry,” the letter read.
Griffin, understandably upset, said, “This don’t make sense to me. This is not good. I don’t care that you’re sorry. Girl, where’s my money? I just want my money back.”
More Victims Coming Forward
Griffin isn’t alone. Other former customers have taken to Facebook and TikTok to share their stories of allegedly being scammed by FlyGirl World Travel. One couple claimed they used the agency to book travel for over 60 wedding guests, only to discover that no bookings were ever made, despite payments being submitted.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received six complaints since July 2025, with only one customer receiving a refund. The agency currently holds an F rating, with the BBB stating:
“FlyGirl World Travel LLC is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.”
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office confirmed that one formal complaint has been filed with their Consumer Protection Division. Meanwhile, Prince George’s County Police confirmed that a report was received, though no additional complaints had been filed at the time of the report.
The business’s website and social media pages are no longer active.
Red Flags in Online Travel
This isn’t the first time consumers have been burned by unregulated online travel businesses. Experts warn travelers to do due diligence — including checking BBB accreditation, reading reviews, and avoiding large upfront payments unless the agency has a well-established reputation.
Griffin, who describes herself as an avid traveler, says the ordeal has soured her view of working with travel agencies entirely.
“It’s made me not want to use a travel agent ever, and that’s unfortunate, because there are some good travel agents out there. But $4,000 is $4,000. To some people that might not be much. I’m an educator. I want my money back.”
Investigation Continues
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has also been contacted for comment, as Douglas may have operated her business from multiple states. Authorities in Maryland say they will continue to monitor the situation for potential additional complaints or legal action.
For now, Griffin — like many others — is left without her trip or her money.
What to Do If You’ve Been Affected
If you’ve booked travel with FlyGirl World Travel LLC and believe you were defrauded:
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File a complaint with your state Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division
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Report the incident to the Better Business Bureau
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Contact your bank or credit card provider to dispute the charge
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Submit a report to your local police department
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File a complaint at www.ftc.gov/complaint
As the investigation into FlyGirl World Travel LLC unfolds, frustrated customers like Michelle Griffin continue to demand accountability and restitution.
“I trusted this company. Now, I just want my money,” Griffin said.
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