Three Chinese Tourists Report Alleged Liveaboard Fraud in Labuan Bajo
Three Chinese tourists reported a Labuan Bajo travel-agent owner over an alleged Rp 7,650,000 (about US$480) liveaboard fraud. Police said he was already wanted in a separate Italian-tourist case involving Rp 79.8 million (about US$4,980).
Editor: Mursyid Sonsang
· 2 min read
Labuan Bajo — Three Chinese tourists reported Kristoforus Aman, the owner of a travel agency in Labuan Bajo, to Manggarai Barat Police on Thursday night, alleging that he took full payment for a two-day, one-night liveaboard trip in Komodo National Park but did not provide the service.
The report was made on Oct. 1, according to the police account cited by detikBali. The tourists were identified as Liu Guoyu, Zhou Yuzhu and Li Jiaxin. Police said the alleged loss totaled Rp 7,650,000 (about US$480), paid for a package offered under the name Tour & Travel Digital.
Why the case matters to visitors in Labuan Bajo
For foreign visitors, the case illustrates the practical risk of paying for a liveaboard package before the promised vessel and itinerary are secured. The reported allegation concerns a trip to Komodo National Park that was not delivered after the tourists had arrived in Labuan Bajo. Komodo National Park is a protected destination whose boat-based tours depend on operators and vessels meeting the agreed arrangements.
The police said Aman, also known as Itok Aman, was already wanted in connection with a separate alleged fraud case involving three Italian tourists. That earlier case concerned Rp 79.8 million (about US$4,980) paid for a four-day, three-night liveaboard package to Komodo National Park. Police said Aman had not been arrested since the Italian tourists reported the case on Aug. 12.
The newer allegation occurred in September, while Aman was still listed as wanted, according to the report. Police said the operator stopped communicating after receiving full payment, did not answer messages and failed to provide the agreed liveaboard service.
The account was attributed to Iptu I Komang Agus Budiawan, head of the Vital Object Security Unit at Manggarai Barat Police. The police information did not state a further procedural outcome in the report available.
Sources
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