Police probe tourist scam

NTB, police join forces to protect visitors on eve of peak season The Namibia Tourism Board and the police have urged visitors to the country to verify operators, as the board investigates an alleged N$50 000 booking scam involving Italian tourists. The travellers allegedly lost about N$50 000 following an 18-day booking spanning Namibia and Zimbabwe, which was scheduled for 23 October to 9 November. The travel itinerary was prepared by Timnoeshe Adventure Tours and Safaris, a company allegedly registered with the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), but the visitors were reportedly left stranded after the service provider failed to attend to them. Tour guide Timan Henguva from Otjiwarongo has since been reported missing, his wife told The Namibian yesterday.

NTB spokesperson Flora Quest says although the tourists have not formally reported the incident to the board yet, the regulator is actively investigating it. “We will investigate the matter by finding the Italians to give us proof of bookings and payments. So far nothing has been reported to NTB in connection with the case,” she says. Furthermore, the police in their weekend crime report say items valued at N$89 800 were stolen from parked vehicles in two separate incidents involving tourists over the weekend. The first incident took place at Dunes Mall at Walvis Bay and the second at Hidas Centre in Klein Windhoek. Quest says the NTB has received nine reports of incidents involving tourism operators across the country since April. This includes accepting payments from clients without delivering promised services and booking accommodation over weekends using fraudulent proof of payment. She says the NTB is investigating the reported cases and gathering evidence to substantiate the allegations. “The NTB works closely with…