A Filipina woman working as a nanny in Montreal has been reunited with her family thanks to a Good Samaritan, after being swindled by a crooked travel agency.

Elanor Diaz lost $4,000 to a travel agency scam. (CBC)Elanor Diaz left her husband and three children in the Philippines three years ago to work in Canada, and worked around the clock to scrape together enough money to bring them here.

Diaz squirrelled away more than $4,000 in cash, which she used to buy Christmas Day plane tickets from a Philippines-based travel agent.

When her husband and kids arrived at the Manila airport, they were told the tickets were worthless. The agent has disappeared, along with the cash.

Diaz's main employer in Montreal – Lissa Matyas – alerted local media about her nanny's plight.

In less than two days, Diaz's family had real tickets booked, thanks to a Laval businessman who heard about her story and offered to help.

But she is now reunited with her family thanks to a Good Samaritan. (CBC)Her husband and children landed at Montreal's Trudeau airport Wednesday morning leading to an emotional reunion.

"You did a great [deed]," Diaz told the throng of reporters waiting with her in the arrivals area. "You give us new life, new hope, and a strong faith in God. Because of all of you, we can celebrate Christmas together."

Diaz has obtained permanent residency, and has rented an apartment on the West Island for her family.

She said she hopes her son can one day study at McGill University.