Lester’s company was struck off by Companies House in August 2014, leaving customers with up to millions of cruise miles they purchased but could not use.

Andrew Evans, prosecuting, said Lester hid behind a “cloak of legitimacy” to mislead customers with documents purporting to show a booked cruise.

Agents employed by Lester were also left to suffer the effects of his scam, fielding irate inquiries from stranded customers.

Elizabeth Erskine, an agent based in New South Wales, Australia, said it was a “harrowing” experience.

“I had to experience the fear and distress of my life crashing around me,” she told the court.