Florida Conman Poses as Flight Attendant to Score Free Flights
A Florida man, Tiron Alexander, has been convicted of fraud for a daring scam that involved posing as a flight crew member to secure over 120 free flights from at least seven different airlines. This real-life scam bears a striking resemblance to the exploits of Frank Abagnale, Jr., the infamous imposter pilot who inspired the movie “Catch Me If You Can.”
According to federal prosecutors from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Alexander managed to pull off his audacious scheme by submitting fake flight attendant credentials, including phony badge numbers, to book flights without paying between 2018 and 2024.
Authorities revealed that Alexander fabricated approximately 30 hire dates and identification numbers to deceive airlines into believing he was a legitimate crew member. This allowed him to board flights for free, a benefit typically reserved for pilots and actual crew members.
During his elaborate con, Alexander managed to take at least 34 free flights and booked a total of over 120 flights without ever having worked for any of the airlines he defrauded. While he had previously been employed by an unnamed airline in Dallas, he had never served as a pilot or flight attendant for the company.
Alexander now faces up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of wire fraud and entering secure airport areas under false pretenses. His sentencing is scheduled for August 25.
This case draws parallels to the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., who famously impersonated various professionals, including a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, before being apprehended in the 1970s. Abagnale later collaborated with the FBI, using his expertise in fraud to assist law enforcement in catching other criminals.
