Tourism agency is indicted for scam on religious tour in RS

The number of victims of the scam by the tourism agency in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre that sold packages for a religious excursion to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, in São Paulo, which did not take place, could exceed 80.

In Canoas, 34 people contacted the Civil Police, who indicted the company JPF Turismo Religioso and its manager, Márcio Flores, for the crime of embezzlement. The inquiry was sent to the Judiciary on September 18th.

In a statement, JPF Turismo Religioso reported that it is experiencing difficulties and is organizing reimbursement for victims as soon as possible. The company declared that it has been in the market for 13 years and stated that the problem only occurred in the last two pilgrimages to Aparecida.

In Novo Hamburgo, the police also received complaints. 44 victims have already been identified, with losses estimated at approximately R$74,000. In addition to Aparecida, two cases involve international travel.

According to delegate Tarcísio Lobato Kaltbach, head of the 1st Police Station of Novo Hamburgo, the investigation is ongoing.

"To date, victims living in Novo Hamburgo, Campo Bom, Estância Velha, Ivoti, Dois Irmãos, Araricá, São Leopoldo, Sapucaia do Sul, Canoas and Rolante have been identified."

There are also records compiled by the Bagé police, in the south of the state.

Trip should have taken place in July

The trip was scheduled for July 27th, but the two scheduled buses never arrived at the boarding point. The majority of passengers are over 60 years old and are linked to the Sagrado Coração de Jesus parish, in Canoas. Some believers would make the journey to pay promises.

"There was no explanation, neither before nor after, and until September 18th, when the investigation with the indictment was sent, he did not make the payment or reimbursement and did not show any initiative to compensate the victims", said delegate Cristiano Reschke, director of the 2nd Metropolitan Regional Police Station of Canoas.

Reports from victims indicate that many were unable to pay for the trip in cash and had to pay in installments. Given the cancellation without prior notice and the lack of reimbursement, the case began to be investigated.

According to the police, even though the trip was not initially planned to cause harm, the organizer took the risk when he realized that he would not be able to fulfill his commitment and did not warn the passengers.

To avoid similar situations, the police recommend checking the history of agencies before signing contracts.

"First, are you going to hire a company? Search the Federal Revenue website, the official website, to see if that CNPJ is active. Look for Cadastur, look for Reclame Aqui to see if there are complaints in relation to that company or that agent being hired. And these are the main actions that someone who is hiring a service has to take", advised the delegate.

Note from JPF Religious Tourism

"The company is experiencing difficulties at the moment but we are trying to make refunds as soon as possible for all our pilgrims, remembering that the company has been in existence for 13 years working exclusively with religious tourism, there have been more than 400 pilgrimages to Aparecida in that time and more than 30 pilgrimages to the Holy Land, there are more than 10,000 customers, the company has always honored its commitments, unfortunately in these last two pilgrimages we were unable to do so, but the amounts have already been refunded to some pilgrims, I will send some contacts that have already been received here for you to confirm."