CUSTOMERS BILKED IN TRAVEL CON BOYS' SOCCER TEAM AMONG VICTIMS.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

Police are investigating the operator of a North Hollywood travel agency, who is suspected of bilking 25 customers out of more than $20,000 for tickets that never materialized.

Rafael Chacon closed Victoria Travel Services, 6137 Vineland Ave., without delivering outstanding tickets to customers, including members of a San Fernando Valley-based soccer club who were supposed to attend a summer camp in Brazil this week.

``This guy was making travel arrangements, then refunding the money to himself,'' Detective Ted Knott said Thursday.

Knott said it was unclear how long Chacon had been operating as a travel agent. California requires sellers of travel plans to register with the state's Attorney General's Office and to display the registration number in all advertising.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said there was no record of Chacon registering and that the license number provided on travel documents was invalid.

A sign in front of the business Thursday said it was closed.

Hugh Carter, the coach for the Penalty Soccer Club based in Pacoima, said his team was supposed to leave Tuesday for Brazil, with airplane tickets purchased from Victoria Travel.

Carter said the team of a dozen boys, ages 14-18, had worked all year mowing lawns, washing cars and collecting bottles and cans to pay the $720-per-ticket cost.

``The goal was to get them involved in something positive,'' Carter said. ``All these kids worship the soccer players of Brazil. They were so excited.''

Carter also said he was told to pay Chacon through a bank account, so he deposited $8,600 of the boys' money into the fund. He received a travel itinerary a month ago, but no tickets.

He said he began contacting the agency more than a week ago, and found that the telephone line had been disconnected. He then contacted the airline and found that reservations had been made, but the tickets never purchased.

``Right now, we're still in shock of it all,'' he said. ``We went to Victoria Travel, we sat in that office and made arrangements. The rate they offered us was better than we could have found on the Internet or at another office.

``Everything they provided to us indicated it was a legitimate business.''

A spokesman with the state's Los Angeles branch of the Consumer Affairs Department said no complaints had been logged against Victoria Travel so far. But those wishing to file a complaint can call [phone] or [phone].

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com