A 24-year-old American Airlines flight attendant, Destiny Blake, has been arrested in the United States for allegedly defrauding an elderly woman of about $25,000.
Blake, from Brooklyn, New York, was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection officers at Miami International Airport following a warrant issued by authorities in Flagler County, Florida.
Investigators alleged that Blake began the scam in November 2025 by posing as a representative of Publishers Clearing House and telling the elderly victim that she had won a prize.
According to investigators, Blake told the woman to send a $500 gift card to an address in Brooklyn as part of the process of claiming the supposed prize.
The victim subsequently lost access to her email account after its password was changed, while investigators said a look-alike email account was created without her knowledge.
Police said the victim withdrew about $14,000 from her bank accounts between November 15 and 19, 2025, while Blake allegedly received $14,220 during the same period.
Investigators further alleged that Blake used her flight attendant travel benefits to fly from New York to Daytona Beach, Florida, on November 18.
The following day, she allegedly travelled by Uber to the victim’s home, where investigators believe she obtained information connected to the woman’s credit card before leaving about 15 minutes later.
Authorities said Blake later allegedly used the victim’s credit card to make purchases at airports in Daytona Beach and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Detectives also alleged that she added herself as an authorised user on the victim’s account and obtained a separate Apple Card.
Between November 16 and December 11, 2025, Blake allegedly spent $10,590.30 in 88 transactions using the victim’s credit card. The purchases included Apple products, an eBay order, telecommunications services, clothing and food deliveries.
Investigators also identified a transaction in Jamaican currency after Blake travelled to Jamaica while working for American Airlines.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said Blake allegedly used her airline travel privileges to facilitate the scam and finance her lifestyle with the victim’s money.
Blake is expected to be returned to Flagler County to face the allegations. She remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
