TRAVEL WARNING: Severe Bait-and-Switch Scam by Atouchofhandz Therapy (Cupecoy, Sint Maarten) 🚨
Individuals Involved: Brian (Operator) and Virginia Cuffy (Business Partner/Secretary)
If you are planning a trip to Sint Maarten and looking to arrange a luxury beachside wellness experience for your family or clients, do not book with Touch of Hands Massages SXM. They are running a highly deceptive bait-and-switch operation that leaves paying guests stranded in hazardous conditions.
The Deception: What Was Promised
I coordinated an afternoon beachside massage experience for a luxury group of 11 guests, consisting of 9 adults and two young children. Prior to booking, the operator, Brian, sent promotional videos and explicit verbal descriptions advertising a premium, well-maintained oceanfront spa environment with massage tables, proper seating, a bar setup, and professional amenities. Relying entirely on these luxury representations, I paid upfront via PayPal to Virginia Cuffy (whom they insisted I pay directly on her personal account).
The Reality: A Hazardous, Abandoned Structure
When our transportation driver dropped the group off at the designated spot next to the Sapphire Hotel in Cupecoy, my guests were horrified. The actual location bore absolutely no resemblance to the polished promotional videos.
Instead, they were brought to:
* A Destroyed Building: A severely damaged, unfinished concrete structure with missing walls, missing roof sections, and completely exposed steel framing.
* Zero Basic Amenities: There was no functioning bathroom facility and absolutely nowhere for guests to sit down between sessions.
* Squatter Conditions: The property was so dilapidated that my guests initially thought they were looking at an abandoned real estate deal. Shockingly, they discovered personal items inside one of the broken rooms indicating that the structure was actively being occupied by unhoused individuals/squatters.
Because of the hazardous structure and lack of a bathroom, my guests had to request early emergency transportation away from the site.
The Real-Time Proof & Hostile Reversal
This isn't a case of a group making up complaints after the trip. My guests sent me real-time text messages and photos from the site expressing their shock and calling Brian a "real scam artist" while they were physically standing there.
The day after the event, I confronted Brian. On the phone and in an unprompted WhatsApp voice note, he explicitly apologized and agreed to a full refund. But within minutes of hanging up, he completely reversed his position, became hostile over text, and tried to downplay the terrible environment. His partner, Virginia Cuffy, then sent a wave of aggressive WhatsApp messages before deleting them and sending a final message in French completely refusing to honor the refund.
Final Verdict: AVOID AT ALL COSTS
To be clear: the issue here is not the performance of the individual massage therapists. The issue is a calculated, documented scam. The operators used deceptive marketing materials to steal nearly a thousand dollars, only to dump a luxury travel group, including young children, at a dangerous, ruined compound.
All text messages, timestamps, site photos, video records of deleted messages, and promotional comparisons have been saved and submitted to bank investigators. Do not let these operators ruin your vacation or steal your money.
Stay far away from Atouchofhandz Therapy
Ngày trải nghiệm: 18 May, 2026
Ngày trải nghiệm: 18 May, 2026
Trả lời từ A Touch of Handz
2026.06.24
Thank you for reaching out regarding your request for a refund for the group massage session for nine guests.
At A Touch of Handz, we are committed to transparency, clear communication, and providing exceptional therapeutic services. For that reason, I would like to clarify the timeline of events and the agreements that were made before, during, and after your appointment.
Prior to Your Arrival
Before your group arrived, I clearly explained that our services are not provided from a traditional enclosed spa facility. I also shared photographs of our unique outdoor massage location—a rustic, private setting chosen specifically for its peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking panoramic ocean views. This information was fully disclosed in advance so that your group could make an informed decision before booking.
Upon Arrival
When your group arrived, I addressed the nature of the location again. I openly explained that our focus is on delivering a high-quality massage experience rather than operating from a conventional spa building. At that time, your group acknowledged the conditions and agreed to proceed with the scheduled services.
After the Services Were Rendered
Following the completion of all nine massage sessions, your group expressed satisfaction with the treatments provided. The therapists were compensated for their professional services, and several members of your group generously provided gratuities directly to the therapists, which further indicated satisfaction with the experience received.
We proudly serve a diverse clientele, including both local residents and luxury travelers, many of whom specifically seek out this location because of its exceptional views, privacy, and the quality of our therapeutic services.
Because the location was fully disclosed prior to your arrival, accepted upon arrival, and the services were successfully delivered and initially received positively, we are unable to approve a refund request submitted after the fact. Our therapists dedicated their time, expertise, and professional care to your group and have already been compensated for services that were fully rendered.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the massage treatments and thank you for choosing A Touch of Handz. We wish you all the best in your future travels.
Thank you!!
A Touch of Handz Mobile Massage Services
At A Touch of Handz, we are committed to transparency, clear communication, and providing exceptional therapeutic services. For that reason, I would like to clarify the timeline of events and the agreements that were made before, during, and after your appointment.
Prior to Your Arrival
Before your group arrived, I clearly explained that our services are not provided from a traditional enclosed spa facility. I also shared photographs of our unique outdoor massage location—a rustic, private setting chosen specifically for its peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking panoramic ocean views. This information was fully disclosed in advance so that your group could make an informed decision before booking.
Upon Arrival
When your group arrived, I addressed the nature of the location again. I openly explained that our focus is on delivering a high-quality massage experience rather than operating from a conventional spa building. At that time, your group acknowledged the conditions and agreed to proceed with the scheduled services.
After the Services Were Rendered
Following the completion of all nine massage sessions, your group expressed satisfaction with the treatments provided. The therapists were compensated for their professional services, and several members of your group generously provided gratuities directly to the therapists, which further indicated satisfaction with the experience received.
We proudly serve a diverse clientele, including both local residents and luxury travelers, many of whom specifically seek out this location because of its exceptional views, privacy, and the quality of our therapeutic services.
Because the location was fully disclosed prior to your arrival, accepted upon arrival, and the services were successfully delivered and initially received positively, we are unable to approve a refund request submitted after the fact. Our therapists dedicated their time, expertise, and professional care to your group and have already been compensated for services that were fully rendered.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the massage treatments and thank you for choosing A Touch of Handz. We wish you all the best in your future travels.
Thank you!!
A Touch of Handz Mobile Massage Services