Florida High School Students Defrauded of $400K in Canceled Europe Trip, Sheriff Says
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA — More than 100 Florida high school students and their chaperones were scammed out of nearly $400,000 after paying for a European trip that never happened, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Students Paid Thousands for Dream Trip
Deputies say 104 students and adults from Seabreeze High School signed up for a nine-day international class trip to Italy and Greece through a Massachusetts-based travel agency called Stone and Compass Travel.
The trip, planned for 2023, was not school-sponsored but had been promoted to students. Each participant paid $3,550, which was supposed to cover airfare, lodging, and excursions.
Travel Agency Shut Down, No Refunds
Just one month before the scheduled departure, the agency’s owner, 56-year-old Robert Goodwin, sent an email to families claiming the company was going out of business and had no money left to issue refunds.
Shortly after, the agency’s website went offline and all phone numbers and emails became inactive, investigators said.
Ongoing Investigation and Charges
The Sheriff’s Office said its Financial Crimes Unit began investigating the case in May 2024 after receiving the referral from the State Attorney’s Office.
Detectives discovered that Stone and Compass Travel was already facing multiple lawsuits over similar schemes, including one involving Flagler College in St. Augustine.
Goodwin now faces serious charges, including grand theft of over $100,000 and two counts of organized scheme to defraud over $50,000. His bond has been set at $4 million.
Families Left With Losses
For the students and families involved, the collapse of the trip has meant the loss of both money and an educational opportunity many had saved for years to experience.
“This was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, and now the kids are left with nothing,” one parent told CBS12 News.
Deputies continue to investigate as they work with other agencies to locate Goodwin, who remains wanted.
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