A 24-year-old flight attendant for American Airlines has been arrested following allegations that she defrauded a 75-year-old woman in Florida of over £25,000. Destiny Blake, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, is accused of employing a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme in conjunction with her airline’s employee travel benefits to carry out the extensive scam.
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The arrest occurred on October 23, when Blake was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport, following a warrant issued by Flagler County authorities. This incident is reported to have taken place nearly a year after Blake’s alleged criminal activities began.
According to court documents, the elderly victim was contacted in November 2025 by an individual purporting to represent Publisher’s Clearing House. The caller informed her that she had won a prize, but to claim her “winnings,” she was instructed to send a £500 gift card to Blake at an address in Brooklyn.
In addition, the victim reported difficulties accessing her personal email account during this time, claiming that her password had been altered and her account re-routed to a similar-looking email address. Between November 15 and November 19, 2025, the victim withdrew more than £14,000 from her bank, which Blake is believed to have subsequently seized through cash and Zelle transfers.
On November 18, Blake allegedly utilised her employee travel privileges to fly from New York City to Daytona Beach, Florida. This mode of travel allowed her to bypass the standard fare associated with airline tickets. Upon arrival, she checked into a hotel in Palm Coast before arranging transportation via Uber to the victim’s home. Shortly thereafter, she took another Uber back to Daytona Beach International Airport to return to New York.
Due to health issues, the victim reportedly has no recollection of the encounter, but her sister discovered a note in the household advising her to contact the credit card company, claiming that Blake was her granddaughter and had permission to use the card.
Documentation reviewed by investigators shows that between November 16 and December 11, 2025, a total of 88 transactions amounting to £10,590.30 were charged to the victim’s credit card. These included a significant order exceeding £1,740 for items on eBay, as well as substantial purchases for Apple products and services from T-Mobile, alongside various Uber rides and food deliveries, all completed under Blake’s name.
The total loss to the victim is reported to be approximately £25,310, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Blake on October 13. She faces three serious felony charges, including orchestrating a scheme to defraud a senior citizen, unlawfully using another person’s identification, and grand theft exceeding £20,000.
After being booked at the Miami-Dade County jail, Blake was released on a £30,000 bond. Her arraignment is slated for November 24 at the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
Sheriff Rick Staly, in a statement, expressed his views on the case, saying, “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. Her wings were clipped by our detectives and, with the help of CBP, she was arrested. Her next trip? Flagler County to be held accountable for her crimes.”
As of now, there has been no public statement from Blake’s attorney, and American Airlines has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the situation. The case continues to garner attention, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by elderly individuals in scams and the lengths to which some may go to exploit them.