A Largo travel agent is facing charges after detectives said she sold fraudulent cruise vouchers to at least nine customers.

Janet Bender, 54, was arrested Thursday morning on seven counts of grand theft. Bender is an independent travel agent who works through CruiseOne travel agency, officials said.

  • Janet Bender accused of selling fraudulent cruise vouchers
  • Customers said they bought vouchers for cruises, then learned the vacations were not scheduled
  • Bender was arrested on similar charge earlier this year

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, investigators began looking into allegations against Bender in March after customers said they had purchased fraudulent cruise vouchers from her.

Bender allegedly sold the vouchers, which were for the entire cost of a cruise with a balcony state room, for between $200 and $500 each, investigators said. The nine victims were asked to pay for the vouchers using cash or by check payable to Bender.

Detectives say that some of the victims tried to use the vouchers to schedule cruises for later in the year, only to discover Bender had never even scheduled the vacations.

The Pinellas Park Police Department arrested Bender in March on a similar complaint, officials said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Quentin Collamore at 727-582-6200.

The investigation continues.