Many years ago, I alerted AA to one of their customized DVD players being sold, along with encoded disks, on eBay. I noticed the vendor was selling many other aircraft related items including lots of new Hermès scarves, life jackets, safety briefing cards and even a BA pilot's uniform jacket of the current pattern.

AA's head of regional security called me to let me know what had happened. After investigation, it was determined that a group with an airside food concession at LHR T3 was paying aircraft cleaners to liberate items from aircraft (including from the duty free stock) - and it wasn't just confined to LHR but several airports across the world. The items were sold on one eBay account, and the vendor kept meticulous records which enabled the police to intercept the DVD player as it was delivered. As a result, a large theft ring was dismantled, various folks received custodial sentences, T3 lost a food concession, and I received unexpected upgrades on AA .