Crime & Safety
Kershaw County, SC Travel Agent Accused of $10,765 Booking Scam
Camden, SC – A South Carolina woman who allegedly posed as a travel agent and accepted more than $10,000 for vacation accommodations without making the promised reservations has been arrested followin
By Nolan Pierce · 2026-10-13T01:06:16.262Z
Camden, SC – A South Carolina woman who allegedly posed as a travel agent and accepted more than $10,000 for vacation accommodations without making the promised reservations has been arrested following a fraud investigation in Camden.
According to the Camden Police Department , Ann Brown Malphrus of Ridgeland, South Carolina, was arrested Saturday, October 10, on a charge of breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving $10,000 or more.
Investigators allege the activity occurred between February and June 2026, when Malphrus presented herself as a travel agent and agreed to arrange travel accommodations for a victim.
Authorities said the victim paid a total of $10,765 for the promised reservations , but investigators allege Malphrus never completed the bookings.
Police have not disclosed the intended travel destination, the specific accommodations involved or how the payments were made.
The investigation resulted in Malphrus being taken into custody on the breach of trust charge.
During an October 10 bond hearing at the Kershaw County Detention Center, a judge set a $20,000 surety bond.
The Camden Police Department emphasized the financial and personal consequences of alleged fraudulent travel arrangements.
"Breach of trust is not just a financial crime; it's a direct violation of a person's security," Police Chief Jack Rushing III said in the department's announcement.
Rushing said the department remains committed to protecting residents from fraudulent schemes and holding individuals accountable through the legal system.
The case highlights the potential financial risks consumers face when paying individuals or businesses to arrange travel accommodations.
Travelers can reduce their exposure to booking fraud by independently confirming reservations with hotels, airlines or other providers before departure.
Authorities have not announced whether additional victims have been identified or whether further charges are anticipated.
Malphrus is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The Camden Police Department has not released additional investigative details in its public announcement.