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Lesley-Ann Brandt, the South African actress famous for playing Mazikeen in the popular series ‘Lucifer’, recently took to TikTok to issue a warning to Mzansi.
This caution concerned a specific Cape Town travel agency after a family member was allegedly left R35,000 poorer and faced numerous unsatisfactory excuses from the company.
In the first video, she said: “Hi guys, I hope you are having a nice start to your weekend. So I don’t come onto TikTok often, obviously… but I know this is where a lot of South Africans hang, and this message is especially for them.
“Really, just a warning. There is a company called Frequent Traveller, a travel agency run by someone called Leigh Brophy, and I have sadly had a family member attempt to use this person for travel, and she is now out of pocket for around R35 000, with all sorts of excuses as to why she hasn’t gotten her money back.
“There is an investigation happening, and a complaint has been filed with the police. She is being investigated by the Association of Southern African Travel Agents as well. But in digging, there have been a number of people being affected by this person.
“In one of the cases its a couple of hundreds of thousands, and in another, it’s like 400 000, from what people are saying.
“So there are a few people looking for her. I wanted to share this with you because obviously, I have a platform, and my family member has worked really hard. Saved that money to do a nice trip and now is sadly having to deal with this nonsense.
“Just be aware.”
In a follow-up video, Brandt provided an update on the feedback she received after posting the first video.
She said: “Hi guys, I just wanted to catch you up after my last video. A ton of people had approached me who are sadly in the same situation with the same person.
“It has now been escalated, and a few outlets are investigating. It seems to be a pervasive issue, and, of course, the police are investigating as well. So that is unfortunate.
“What I wanted to say is that there are very many amazing and wonderful accredited travel agents. So when you are booking, make sure you are checking the credentials of the people you are working with.
“And to be very wary of these individually operated third-party individuals, who seem to be gaming an unregulated system, with the victims unfortunately being really hard-working South Africans who simply want to enjoy a nice holiday.”
Led by Brophy and situated in Cape Town, Frequent Traveller is a specialist travel agency. The agency focuses on providing flights, destinations, and packages at optimal prices. They guarantee a smooth, enjoyable, and unforgettable journey by offering personalised support to every client.
According to the website, “Every trip is tailor-made to meet individual needs and preferences, turning every adventure into a memorable experience.”
The travel provider features various beach, nature, and city getaway options.
When “Independent Media Lifestyle” approached Brophy for comment regarding the allegations, she simply responded: “No comment.”
A check with ASATA (Association of Southern African Travel Agents) and SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) confirmed that the agency is not verified by either organisation.
Ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of travel fraud:
Verify the agency’s credibility
- Accreditation matters: Ensure your travel agent is accredited with recognised bodies like ASATA or SATSA.
- Insist on a physical presence: Legitimate providers will have a verifiable physical address and a landline phone number – not just a cellphone.
Secure your payments
- Avoid private bank transfers: Never use Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) to private bank accounts.
- Prioritise credit cards: Pay with a credit card for better fraud protection and the option to reverse fraudulent charges.
- Consider virtual cards: Use virtual card details for a secure, temporary transaction code.
Identify suspicious deals
- Be sceptical of “too good to be true” offers: Deals offering unrealistic discounts on flights and luxury stays are a major warning sign.
- Benchmark prices: Always compare the offered price against multiple platforms to determine the actual market rate.
Confirm bookings directly
- Verify before paying: After receiving a booking reference number, contact the hotel or airline directly to confirm the reservation before finalising payment.
Use caution with online promotions
- Beware of social media/ WhatsApp sales: Scammers often use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to market fraudulent deals.
- Click links safely: Only click on links found on the official, verified websites of the company.
Check website security
- Look for security features: Ensure the website URL begins with https:// and displays a padlock icon, especially if you navigated to the site via an advertisement.
