$400K Volusia School Trip Scam: Understanding Fraud in Florida Contracts

Detectives in Volusia County recently issued an arrest warrant after more than 100 Seabreeze High School students and chaperones lost nearly $400,000 in a canceled class trip. The group had signed up with a Massachusetts travel agency for a nine-day journey through Italy and Greece, paying more than $3,500 each for airfare, lodging, and excursions.

Just a month before departure, the agency abruptly shut down, emailing families that there was no money left for refunds. Investigators later discovered the company was also being sued by other organizations for similar allegations. The agency’s owner now faces charges of grand theft and organized fraud.

This case is a painful reminder of how devastating fraud in contracts can be. When people enter into agreements based on false promises, the results can be financially and emotionally devastating.

Attorney Jennifer Englert of The Orlando Law Group explains:

“Fraud in contracts is a serious issue in Florida law, often arising when one party uses deception or misrepresentation to induce another party into an agreement. Because contracts are built on trust and mutual consent, fraud undermines the very foundation of enforceable agreements. Florida courts treat fraud claims with significant weight, but proving fraud requires careful attention to detail.”

What Constitutes Fraud in a Contract Under Florida Law?

Under Florida law, fraud occurs when one party makes a false statement of a material fact, knowing it is false (or acting with reckless disregard for the truth), intending for the other party to rely on it, and the other party suffers damages as a result.

To establish fraud in the inducement of a contract, a plaintiff must generally prove:

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