Flight attendant accused of using free flights for $25,000 scam - Punch Newspapers
A 24-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Brooklyn, New York, has been arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly woman out of approximately $25,000 and using the stolen money to fund international trips, Apple products and food deliveries. As reported by Daily Mail on Wednesday, Destiny Blake was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection officers at Miami International Airport on Friday evening following a warrant issued by Flagler County, Florida, authorities, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators allege that Blake carried out a sweepstakes scam against a senior citizen living in Palm Coast, Florida, over the course of several months. According to police, the alleged scam began in November 2025 when Blake contacted the elderly woman, pretending to be a representative of Publishers Clearing House. Blake allegedly told the victim she had won a contest but needed to send a $500 gift card to an address in Brooklyn to begin the process of claiming her prize. Around the same time, the victim reportedly lost access to her email account after its password was changed.Make PUNCH part of your everyday experience.Add us to your Preferred Sources Investigators said a look-alike email account was subsequently created without her knowledge. Between November 15 and November 19, 2025, the victim withdrew approximately $14,000 from her bank accounts, while Blake allegedly received $14,220 during that period. Police said Blake used her flight attendant travel benefits to fly from New York to Daytona Beach, Florida, on November 18. The following morning, she allegedly travelled by Uber to the victim’s home, where investigators believe she obtained information linked to the woman’s credit card. She reportedly left about 15 minutes later and returned to the airport. Angry Osun residents loot warehouse after cheap food scam JUST IN: Osun residents loot warehouse after cheap food scam US arrests 18 suspects over killing of Haitian president Authorities allege that Blake made purchases using the victim’s credit card at airports in Daytona Beach and Charlotte, North Carolina, while travelling home. Detectives later discovered that Blake had allegedly added herself as an authorised user on the victim’s account and obtained a separate Apple Card. The victim’s family also reportedly discovered a note inside her home instructing her to contact the credit card company and claim that Blake was her granddaughter and had permission to use the card. Between November 16 and December 11, 2025, Blake allegedly spent $10,590.30 on the victim’s credit card across 88 transactions. The purchases reportedly included $1,523.16 worth of Apple products, a $1,740.91 eBay order and approximately $1,300 spent across T-Mobile, UGG, a Brooklyn hair salon and numerous Uber Eats orders. Investigators also identified a transaction made in Jamaican dollars in Kingston, Jamaica, two days after Blake had travelled to the country while working for American Airlines. Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said the suspect allegedly used her travel privileges to facilitate the scam and fund a lavish lifestyle with the victim’s money. “Most flight attendants use their benefits to see the world, Blake used hers to further a scam against a senior resident, live a lavish lifestyle using stolen bank cards, and thinking she could get away with it,” Staly said. He added that detectives worked with US Customs and Border Protection to arrest Blake, who is expected to be returned to Flagler County to face the allegations. The case remains an allegation, and Blake is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Gilbert Ekugbe Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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