Status match fraud
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NE USA
Programs: DL
Posts: 162
Status match fraud
I didn't really know where to ask this, as most places people won't know what a status match is. Basically I know someone who is selling "status'" on various websties. What he is doing is submitting fake credentials (photoshopped with the persons name) from one airline to the other in order to obtain a match. I was wondering what, if any, legal trouble could he get into if he were caught? I care about him a lot and have asked him to stop but he sees it as easy money.
#3


Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
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Posts: 7,284
Definitely an interesting ethics question. Of course, if he reads flyertalk, he knows now what you're trying to do, so I suspect your relationship has just become toast.
I guess, if you're really troubled by it, you could start by submitting evidence to the various frequent flyer program status match numbers (as posted on Flyertalk)?
I guess, if you're really troubled by it, you could start by submitting evidence to the various frequent flyer program status match numbers (as posted on Flyertalk)?
#4
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: DL
Posts: 484
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NE USA
Programs: DL
Posts: 162
Definitely an interesting ethics question. Of course, if he reads flyertalk, he knows now what you're trying to do, so I suspect your relationship has just become toast.
I guess, if you're really troubled by it, you could start by submitting evidence to the various frequent flyer program status match numbers (as posted on Flyertalk)?
I guess, if you're really troubled by it, you could start by submitting evidence to the various frequent flyer program status match numbers (as posted on Flyertalk)?
#6
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Well, if he's cutting and pasting the same phoney itinerary over and over, eventually the airlines should figure it out. I guess with software, you can change the flown flight info, too, and make it look legit.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
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#10
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as many on here would say.... They aren't true FF'ers to begin with so the impact "should" be minimal... I happen to live in one of the markets where it affects the situation on a regular basis....
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hopefully on a plane...
Posts: 6,580
#12
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Mile-High Club, Marriott Plt, SPG P-75, PC Plt, Hyatt Dia, Carlson Gold, BW Dia
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Also, how about the impact on the airline's willingness to perform status matches in the first place? When people abuse systems, the systems get changed or eliminated.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Mile-High Club, Marriott Plt, SPG P-75, PC Plt, Hyatt Dia, Carlson Gold, BW Dia
Posts: 1,845
I believe it's a felony if he is using the U.S. Postal Service to send/receive anything involved with this scam. Not sure how the wire fraud act handles internet-only scams, but it's probably similar.
Last edited by Jazzop; Mar 28, 2010 at 4:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Tokyo and anyplace cheaper
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Posts: 474
my friend, has this situation
Hello Doctor, a friend of mine has a large battery-powered object lodged in his rectum. I'm calling to ask if I, I mean err my friend, could easily resolve the situation without visiting the hospital
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,859
and if the person is doing it multiple times he most likely will not be able to make the status on his own in the future and no programme will status match someone again a second time, especially when they have not been able to keep up a previous status match.



