A brazen fraudster who enjoyed a lavish three-day stay at a Welsh hotel before fleeing without paying has audaciously returned to the same establishment to try the identical scam a year later.
The Initial £800 Swindle
The woman first targeted the Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli, Wales, where she indulged in meals including fish and steak, accompanied by wine, over a three-day period. She then disappeared without settling her bill of £802.55, leaving staff at the boutique hotel furious and out of pocket.
Hotel manager Paul Jenkins revealed the guest had booked under a false corporate name. "Housekeepers didn't know if she was in the room or not, and once we knew what happened, we opened the door and she had gone," he said. Police were informed but the woman remained untraceable.
A Bold Return Foiled by Vigilant Staff
In a stunning act of audacity, the same woman returned to the Diplomat Hotel approximately a year after the initial crime. She attempted to book a five-night stay, which would have cost over £800 before any extras.
Thankfully, she was recognised by a sharp-eyed member of the team. Manager Paul Jenkins confronted her, but she denied ever having stayed at the hotel before. Staff, now wary, insisted on upfront payment. "Her card immediately declined," Jenkins stated.
Escape and Warning to Other Businesses
When questioned about the failed payment, the woman claimed she would contact her company and return with another card. Instead, she made a swift exit from the premises before police could be alerted.
Mr Jenkins has issued a warning to fellow hoteliers to be vigilant. "To all fellow hoteliers: please be vigilant and keep an eye out for this individual," he urged. He expressed his frustration, noting the hospitality sector's struggles post-pandemic and that such losses significantly impact businesses.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that inquiries are ongoing to identify the woman involved in both incidents.
