An agent has been told she faces a "long prison sentence" after admitting she defrauded her clients out of nearly £1.7 million.
Lyne Barlow, 39, formerly of Stanley in County Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday (10 October) where she pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud by false representation, another of theft from a person, and a final charge of concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property (money laundering) running to £1,688,220.
Her offending, according to her charges, dates to December 2014. She will appear for sentencing on 12 December.
The Northern Echo reports Barlow admitted stealing £500,000 from one person, as well as falsely claiming to be a member of Abta and to be selling Atol-protected trips.
Barlow was arrested in September 2020, at which point her business was mothballed and her social media presence shut down.
Earlier this year, Durham Constabulary said several hundred alleged victims had come forward during the course of its investigation.
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