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Travel Agent Indicted In Oprah Ticket Scam

February 20, 2006
A Maryland travel agent has been charged with exploiting fans of TV talk diva Oprah Winfrey by selling them non-existent Chicago tour packages that supposedly included tickets to see her show.

Terrance M. Hawkins of Temple Hill, Maryland was indicted on 17 counts of theft by a Prince George's County grand jury.

Prosecutors charge Hawkins, who runs businesses known as Royal Travel and Royal Stages Travel Group, sold tickets for the Chicago bus trip for $500 per person, but never provided the trip. Though charged with 17 counts, prosecutors say many more people � mostly elderly women � were victimized.

Authorities say most of the victims would not have suspected that the trip was a scam. They say, however, it's never a good idea to send a large check to a company you don't know without checking them out first.

If convicted on the theft charges, Hawkins could face up to of 15 years in prison.

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