SAN DIEGO -- Long-time friends and faithful Catholics, Ampy Marzan and Emy Distor waited a lifetime to travel to the Holy Land to walk the streets that Jesus walked and explore the place where Christianity was born.

But instead of leaving their south San Diego homes for a wonderful vacation, the women were unpacked and unhappy because their tickets never arrived. All this after five months of planning and paying over $6,000 per couple, upfront. They called the number listed on a brochure, but Marzan said, "There's no answer. There's no response."

Marzan and Distor booked the trip with Catholic Pilgrimage Center, a company that allegedly duped a priest. Father Paul Ramen and his church group from Connecticut claimed they were scammed, and the I-Team learned there are more unhappy would-be travelers across the U.S.

Travel literature said Catholic Pilgrimage Center is headquartered in Atlanta, but there are no travel agencies at the listed address.

Still the I-Team found a family affair, with San Diego-based Regina Reinhard, son Alex and Regina's ex, Manfred Reinhard, who was busted 10 years ago for selling phony travel packages. The California Attorney General's Office won a $600,000 judgment plus restitution against Manfred Reinhard's company back then, called Modern Piligrimages.

The I-Team suspected the Reinhard's have a lengthy mailing list of Catholics, all potential clients. Their companies use names like Catholic and Pilgrimage, as well as the Pope's photo on their literature. The I-Team found another name, Spirit.

Regina Reinhard had a former office for Spirit Travel, in La Jolla on Fay Avenue, but the business was shut down by the state. The California Attorney General's office accused Regina Reinhard of stealing thousands of dollars from client after client for trips that never happened.

The I-Team looked for Regina Reinhard at her South Mission Hills condo, but found the condo has gone into foreclosure. Regina Reinhard went bankrupt and allegedly left clients out of money.

I-Team research revealed Regina was in Germany. Her son was in the travel business in Los Angeles and ex-husband Manfred was in Atlanta using a fax machine, a Web site and a cell phone to continue to sell trips. Manfred Reinhard was under investigation the the Georgia Attorney General's Office.

Travelers like Ramen have been frustrated. "I should have known better, but I didn't," he said.

Marzan and Distor have not received refunds.

The I-Team contacted the San Diego Catholic Diocese, and a spokesman said the diocese has nothing to do with the various agencies and will warn parishioners about what the I-Team found.

Regina Reinhard's attorney, Alex Llorente told the I-Team the state's case against his client continues. He said the major issue is how much money Regina Reinhard owes former clients.

When it comes to booking travel, experts say always use a credit card, never pay cash in advance. Make sure the company is licensed with the state of California as a seller of travel.