JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: A businessman who bought four air tickets to Macau on a budget airlines was shocked when he was told at the airport that his flight details were not in their records.

Ng Kim Long said that he had bought four tickets from a travel agent at a counter in Giant Plentong on April 15 for a flight on June 3 and paid RM2,568 for them.

"When we got to the airport, we were told that our details were not on the system," he said, adding that the four were forced to buy new tickets costing them RM3,769 as they had a connecting flight to China from Macau.

Ng, 46, said that he tried contacting the travel agent several times to ask for his money back, but to no avail.

"I bought the tickets from that agent as my shop is located nearby.

"I was forced to finally lodge a police report on June 12 as I have yet to be compensated," he said during a press conference organised by the MCA Pasir Gudang Crime Prevention Squad vice president Sim Chan Teck.

Another victim of the travel agency, businessman Darren Yap, 30, said that he faced similar problems when his maid was unable to fly to Surabaya after he bought tickets from that travel agency.

"I had to pay premium price as the old ticket could not be used," he said.

When contacted, Seri Alam police station Commercial Crime Unit head Asst Supt Mohd Azhar Mat Kassim confirmed that at least 20 people had lodged police reports against the company.

"We have also received a police report from the owner of the travel agency who claimed that his worker cheated him of RM137,000," he said adding that the case was being investigated under Section 408 of the Penal Code for breach of trust.

When contacted, Syarikat Ezz Travel Sdn Bhd owner who only wanted to be known as Chew said that his employee had fled last week after cheating the company of between RM50,000 and RM137,000 so far.

"We have already appointed a lawyer and set up a trust fund to compensate our customers. We urge all those who have been affected to lodge a police report," he said, but added that the company might not be able to pay the entire compensation.

He said for more information, customers could contact the travel agency at 012 754 8870.

Meanwhile Air Asia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes advised the public to book tickets through the company website or call centre.