What something no one has mentioned (perhaps it is too obvious) is that this is too easy a way for people with evil (not theft/deception, but evil) intentions to get past security loopholes.

But I do agree the issue at hand is that they were scamming VDB compensation, but airlines are to blame as well for not having any mechanism in place to prevent someone who receive VDB compensation from obtaining a refund for their ticket at the same time. I'm sure the two men who were caught were not the only ones that thought of it. Can I see a show of hands?