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Phony airline crew member got more than $277K in free flights
A man who pretended to be a flight crew member in order to get free or low-cost flights in and out of Los Angeles County airports, which he would then sell to “clients” who would pay up to $2,000 for a year of flying, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal wire fraud offense. Gilbert Myers Jr., 38, of Atlanta, Georgia, entered his plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson scheduled an April 30 sentencing hearing. No mention about pending charges for any of his clients who took advantage of this scheme. |
In exchange for arranging their travel as “non-rev” employee travelers, Myers typically charged about $2,000 for one year of unlimited free flights, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. |
Originally Posted by davie355
(Post 24211435)
Bad deal even if it were legitimate. No guarantee of availability, no choice of seat ... I'd wager many who paid the $2k would have saved money buying revenue tickets.
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Don't airlines require ID? I don't see how a non-employee would get the non-rev travel in the first place, plus, how would a third party be able to use the perks? If the airlines are THAT lax about identifying employees, the airlines are just as guilty (well, almost).
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social engineering will always be possible (and able to be successful)
The defendant advised his “customers” to avoid detection by dressing appropriately and told them how to respond to questions about their bogus employment at another airline. fraudulently obtained boarding pass and their real photo identification...listed as employees of other airlines. fraudulently booked these and hundreds of other flights |
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