Community Alert: Major Travel Agency Fraud in Wood Buffalo

Wood Buffalo RCMP have charged a former travel agency operator after an extensive fraud investigation linked to a business that was active in Fort McMurray, Alberta in 2019. Police say more than 100 travellers paid for flights and vacation packages through a company called “International Travel Services,” only to later learn that their reservations had never been properly booked or paid for.

The investigation began in December 2019 when victims reported arriving at airports and all-inclusive resorts to discover there were no valid tickets or hotel bookings in their names. After a multi-year probe by the Wood Buffalo RCMP General Investigation Section, officers have now laid fraud and money laundering charges and obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect, who no longer lives in the Fort McMurray area.

Official RCMP Incident Details

According to Wood Buffalo RCMP, complaints first surfaced in December 2019 regarding a travel agency operating under the name “International Travel Services” in Fort McMurray. Clients paid for what they believed were confirmed trips, including flights and all-inclusive vacations. When they later tried to travel, they discovered that payment had not been forwarded to airlines or resorts.

The Wood Buffalo RCMP General Investigation Section conducted a lengthy and detailed financial investigation. Officers identified more than 100 victims who had purchased travel services and were left without transportation or accommodation. The total combined financial loss reported in this case is estimated to be close to $500,000.

As a result of this investigation, police have charged the former owner and operator of “International Travel Services,” identified as Ujeer Ahmed, a 58-year-old man. The charges are:

• Fraud over $5,000
• Money laundering

RCMP state that they have been unable to locate Ujeer Ahmed, who no longer resides in the Fort McMurray / Wood Buffalo region. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Anyone who believes they may have been victimized in a similar way, or has already experienced travel-related fraud, is urged to contact their local police service and also report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

If you have been a victim of fraud, or have information about similar schemes, you are asked to report it to:

• Local law enforcement: Contact your nearest police detachment or non-emergency police line.
• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: online at www.antifraudcentre.ca or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

For those who live in the region, additional context on local trends is available through resources such as the Wood Buffalo, Alberta — Crime Statistics & Safety Data and the broader Wood Buffalo Crime Statistics & Safety Report, which help residents understand how financial and other crimes affect their community.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case highlights how financial crimes can cause serious harm to both individuals and the wider Alberta community. Victims in travel fraud cases often lose significant savings and may be stranded without transportation or accommodation, sometimes in unfamiliar locations. Even when incidents occurred years earlier, as in this 2019 Fort McMurray case, holding alleged offenders accountable is important for community trust and long-term safety.

To reduce your risk of travel-related fraud, consider taking protective steps such as: using credit cards rather than cash or e-transfer when possible for added protections; independently verifying flight and hotel bookings directly with airlines or resorts shortly after payment; checking reviews and business history for travel agencies; and being cautious of unusually low prices or pressure to pay immediately. If something feels suspicious, document all communications and contact police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for guidance. Community reporting and early detection are key tools in preventing large-scale frauds from growing and in supporting safer communities across Alberta.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.