EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Nassau County Police reports the arrest of a Hempstead woman in connection with multiple grand larceny investigations involving victims from several jurisdictions.
According to detectives, Tavia Thomas, 47, of Westbury Boulevard, Hempstead, operated a travel business known as Destiny Travel, located at 1936 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow. As the sole owner and agent, Thomas is accused of accepting payments from clients for trips that were never booked and failing to provide refunds.
Investigators say the alleged fraud involved several incidents:
- July 8, 2024 – Thomas reportedly collected $35,753.98 from nine victims for what was advertised as a Royal Caribbean cruise departing from the Bayonne, New Jersey cruise port. When the group arrived, they were informed their tickets were fraudulent and that the cruise they believed they had purchased did not exist.
- July 16, 2024 – Thomas allegedly received an initial payment of $5,000 for a destination wedding. Additional members of the wedding party also made payments, bringing the total to $7,660. According to investigators, resort accommodations through ALG Vacations were never booked and no refunds were issued.
- September 4, 2024 – A separate victim reported paying $10,034.16 for a 75th birthday trip to the Dominican Republic involving approximately 50 family members. Detectives state the accommodations were never paid for and refunds were not provided.
Thomas has been charged with:
- Three counts of Grand Larceny 3rd Degree
- Three counts of Scheme to Defraud 1st Degree
- Two counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree
She was scheduled to be arraigned today, January 6, 2026, at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
Detectives are asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized in connection with this investigation, or in a similar incident, to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. Callers may remain anonymous.
Key Facts & Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | Nassau County Police Department – First Squad |
| Defendant | Tavia Thomas, 47, of Hempstead |
| Business Name | Destiny Travel |
| Business Address | 1936 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow |
| Allegation | Accepted payments for trips that were never booked and failed to issue refunds |
| Incident 1 | July 8, 2024 — $35,753.98 collected from 9 victims for a Royal Caribbean cruise that did not exist |
| Incident 2 | July 16, 2024 — $7,660 collected for a destination wedding that was never booked |
| Incident 3 | September 4, 2024 — $10,034.16 collected for a family trip to the Dominican Republic; accommodations not paid |
| Total Victims (Known) | Multiple, across several jurisdictions |
| Injuries | None reported |
| Charges | 3× Grand Larceny 3rd Degree; 3× Scheme to Defraud 1st Degree; 2× Grand Larceny 4th Degree |
| Court | First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead |
| Arraignment Date | January 6, 2026 |
| Tip Line | Nassau County Crime Stoppers: 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911 |
| Case Status | Investigation ongoing |
