Dena Travel leaves Kiwi stuck in Iran

Saman Bigy, Manager/Director of Dena Travel, who owes thousands of dollars to customers. Photo / Brett Phibbs

An Auckland man stuck in the Middle East after his pre-paid airfare was cancelled without warning is the latest victim of a New Zealand travel agency that is under police investigation.

The man who wished to be identified only by his first name, Damoun, has been stuck in Iran since the beginning of the month when he discovered his flight back to New Zealand has been cancelled by Dena Travel.

The Mt Eden travel agency and its associated Persian Network money transfer business have been under police investigation since December when pre-paid travel and money transferred by more than 200 customers disappeared.

The business premises on Dominion Road of Saman Bigy Manager/Director of Dena Travel, who owes thousands of dollars to various customers. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The owners of the Mt Eden stores, married couple Afsaneh Lotfi and Vahid Ahmed Khan Bigy, left the country and have not returned.

While 200 customers were refunded their air travel by Stella Travel Group, which Dena Travel was a broker for, those who transferred money through Persian Network remain out of pocket - at least one man is owed more than $100,000.

Damoun, 35, works at Sky City Hotel and said it took him a number of years to save for the two month tip to visit his parents in Iran.

"I used to buy all my tickets from Dena travel and I used to check my status of flights before I leave Auckland and before leaving Iran in case of any change with Dena."

A few days before his flight, he could not make contact with the travel agency so called Emirates Airline directly.

"I was told by them that my name is not in their system and they avoided giving me any more information. I had access to nothing so I decided to google Dena Travel for any news then I was shocked to see...what had happened."

Damoun was unsure when he would be able to return to New Zealand, as he's facing booking fares at much higher prices due to a closer departure date.

"I don't really understand how easily the agency can sell your ticket and leave you abandoned overseas. I am still in Iran and not very sure about my return to Auckland.

"I'm very disappointed with both Dena and Emirates, these companies they really never care about the customers."

Police Detective Sergeant Russell Bagley said the investigation was ongoing.

"Police are still assessing aspects of many of the 68 complaints received to determine what, if any, criminal activity has taken place," he said.

"Police have advised complainants the issues they've raised appear to be predominantly civil matters so it would be advisable to pursue civil remedies.

"Those at the centre of the complaints are still out of the country making it difficult to progress aspects of the Police investigation."

Mrs Lotfi and Mr Khan Bigy's son, Saman Bigy is the manager and director of the businesses.

He said the businesses had ceased operations but were "co-operating fully" with police.

"Unfortunately both the businesses have been closed down...we are waiting for everything to process. We can't deal with any customers directly at the moment."

His parents planned to return to New Zealand, but he did not know when.

Customers with unresolved airfare matters with Dena Travel can contact Stella Travel Group on 09 307 1800 to apply for a refund.