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California man arrested after traveling to Montgomery in fraud scheme

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 19:08 GMT by WSFA
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California Man Arrested After Traveling to Montgomery in Fraud Scheme

LOS ANGELES – On September 22, 2025, law‑enforcement officials in Los Angeles seized a 32‑year‑old California resident, John Michael Ramirez, on suspicion of orchestrating an elaborate travel‑fraud scheme that extended from the state of California to Montgomery, Alabama. Ramirez was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office after a joint investigation involving the FBI’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Federal Trade Commission.

The arrest came after a month‑long probe that uncovered a web of deceptive travel packages marketed on a rogue website called “Montgomery Getaways.” According to the FBI’s press release, Ramirez had set up the site in late 2023, luring unsuspecting travelers with promises of “all‑inclusive” tours, accommodation, and discounted airfare to the Alabama state capital. Once the prospective customers paid deposits ranging from $800 to $5,000, Ramirez allegedly diverted the funds to a series of shell companies and offshore accounts, never delivering any of the promised services.

The Scheme in Detail

Ramirez’s operation began in the summer of 2024, when he first advertised “Montgomery Getaways” on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The site was professionally designed, complete with photos of Montgomery’s historic courthouse, the state capitol building, and the scenic riverfront. The marketing copy emphasized “exclusive access to downtown attractions” and “VIP treatment at local restaurants.” The site also claimed to be “licensed and insured,” a statement that turned out to be fabricated.

Victims were asked to pay a “booking fee” via Venmo or a third‑party payment processor. Once the payment was received, Ramirez would send a confirmation email that read: “Your reservation is confirmed. We will email you a personalized itinerary in the next 24 hours.” However, emails were never sent. A closer look at the site’s analytics, provided to investigators, revealed that the website’s server logs were set to block access from the United States after November 2024, indicating a deliberate attempt to shift traffic to overseas servers.

A key element of the fraud was the use of Montgomery, Alabama, as a “front” for money laundering. According to a link to a Montgomery Police Department statement embedded in the article, Ramirez had been in contact with a local travel agency, “Montgomery Travel Co.” The agency, now defrauded, was unaware that its name was being used in the scam. Ramirez had apparently forged invoices, paying the agency a modest sum in exchange for allowing the company’s name to appear on the website’s “partners” page. This gave the scheme an air of legitimacy and helped mask the movement of funds.

The Arrest

The arrest came after a coordinated operation between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s California Counterfeit Currency Task Force. Police officers approached Ramirez at his residence in Burbank, California, where he was found in possession of a computer, a stack of cash, and several unopened envelopes labeled “Travel Packages.” Ramirez was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Los Angeles County Jail pending a hearing scheduled for October 5.

The FBI’s press release also states that the suspect is facing 12 counts of wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy, with potential penalties ranging from 10 to 20 years in federal prison. The federal judge assigned to the case, Judge Marissa Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, denied bail citing “the substantial flight risk and the significant impact of the alleged crimes on a large number of victims.”

Victim Impact

The story of the fraud is not just a cautionary tale about online scams; it also highlights the real‑world consequences for the victims. One of the individuals impacted, 47‑year‑old travel blogger, Sarah Thompson, wrote a short video statement that was linked in the article’s “Victim Voices” section. Thompson, who had paid $2,300 for a “Montgomery Getaways” package, had planned a family trip to the state capital in December 2024. “I lost more than just money,” she said in the video. “I was looking forward to introducing my kids to a place that had become a favorite for my travel reviews. Now, it’s just a nightmare.”

The FBI’s website lists 38 victims across six states, including California, Florida, New York, Texas, Illinois, and Alabama. Victims reported that they had received no itinerary, no confirmation email, and no refund. Many of them were elderly retirees, underscoring the scam’s predatory nature.

Ongoing Investigation

While Ramirez’s arrest marks a milestone, investigators are still following up on a potential “money‑laundering ring” that may involve other unnamed individuals. The FBI’s internet crimes division is working with the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security to track the flow of funds. Meanwhile, the Montgomery Police Department has announced a public advisory, urging residents to be cautious of any unsolicited travel offers from out‑of‑state companies.

Legal and Regulatory Context

The case comes amid a broader federal crackdown on travel‑fraud schemes. The Federal Trade Commission’s “Consumer Protection” page lists travel scams as a top threat, citing a 2024 report that estimates $10 billion lost to such scams each year. Under the Telecommunication Consumer Protection Act of 2020, companies that fail to provide the services advertised can face penalties up to $500,000. Ramirez’s case, as reported in a linked FTC policy update, may serve as a deterrent for future operators.

Conclusion

John Michael Ramirez’s arrest signals a decisive step in the fight against online fraud. It also serves as a reminder that scammers will exploit any opportunity—whether that’s a bustling Californian city or a historic Alabama capital—to deceive unsuspecting customers. As the investigation unfolds and more victims come forward, authorities are urging the public to report suspicious offers and to verify the legitimacy of travel agencies through official state or federal registries.

The case will be closely watched by both law‑enforcement agencies and the travel industry, as it may set a precedent for how cross‑jurisdictional fraud rings are prosecuted in the digital age. For now, the arrest is a welcome victory for the victims and a warning to the wider community: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.