FORT WORTH, TEXAS- An American Airlines (AA) flight attendant, Destiny Blake, 24, was arrested at Miami International Airport (MIA) on October 23, 2026, over allegations that she defrauded a 75-year-old woman from Palm Coast, Florida, of approximately $25,310 through a fake sweepstakes scheme.
Investigators allege that Blake used American Airlines’ employee travel benefits to visit the victim’s home and arrange access to her credit card account. The investigation covers alleged cash transfers and credit card purchases linked to travel through Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
American Airlines Flight Attendant Accused of Targeting Florida Senior
According to PYOK, investigators allege that the scheme began in November 2025, when the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House.
The caller told the woman she had won a sweepstakes prize but needed to send a $500 gift card to Blake’s address in Brooklyn, New York, before collecting her winnings. The victim followed the instructions and sent the gift card.
Investigators also found that the victim lost access to her email account around the same period. The account password had reportedly been changed, and the address had been altered to resemble an email address the woman had never created.
Between November 15 and November 19, 2025, the victim withdrew more than $14,000 from her bank account. Investigators determined that Blake received $14,220 through cash payments and Zelle transfers.
Flight Attendant Allegedly Used Staff Travel Benefits
Investigators say Blake used her American Airlines non-revenue, or standby, travel benefits to travel from New York to Daytona Beach on November 18, 2025.
After arriving in Florida, she took an Uber to a hotel on State Road 100 in Palm Coast and stayed overnight. The following morning, an Uber driver took her to the victim’s home shortly before 11 a.m.
Blake allegedly stayed at the property for approximately 15 minutes before another Uber took her back to Daytona Beach International Airport. She then travelled towards New York via Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
According to investigators, purchases using the victim’s credit card appeared at both Daytona Beach and Charlotte airports before Blake had completed her return journey.
Credit Card Charges Increased the Alleged Losses
During the visit, the victim received a handwritten note instructing her to contact her credit card company and identify Blake as her granddaughter. The note also instructed her to authorize Blake to use the account.
A family member later discovered the note, prompting further scrutiny of the victim’s financial activity. Detectives determined that Blake had received her own Apple Card as an authorized user on the victim’s account.
Between November 16 and December 11, 2025, investigators identified 88 charges totalling $10,590.30 on the victim’s credit cards.
The transactions allegedly included a $1,740.91 eBay order shipped to Blake’s Brooklyn address and $1,523.16 in Apple product purchases. More than $1,300 was also spent at T-Mobile, UGG and a Brooklyn hair salon, alongside dozens of Uber rides and Uber Eats orders.
One Uber ride in Kingston, Jamaica, was charged in Jamaican dollars. Investigators linked the transaction to a period two days after Blake had travelled to Kingston while working for American Airlines.
Detectives also reported that online orders used Blake’s own name, email address and telephone number. Surveillance footage allegedly showed her using the victim’s credit card at a supermarket in Queens, New York. Investigators also examined phone records that placed her phone near stores on the dates of the transactions.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office estimated the victim’s total losses at approximately $25,310, including money obtained through transfers and alleged credit card misuse.
Arrest at Miami International Airport
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Blake on October 13, 2026, following its investigation into the alleged financial exploitation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested her late on October 23 after she arrived at Miami International Airport on an international flight. She was transported to the Miami-Dade County jail and later released on a $30,000 bond.
Blake faces charges of organized scheme to defraud more than $20,000 from a victim aged 65 or older, fraudulent use of personal identification information belonging to a person aged 60 or older, and grand theft involving more than $20,000.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly criticized the alleged misuse of airline travel benefits, saying investigators worked with federal officers to secure Blake’s arrest. He said she would have to return to Flagler County to answer the allegations.
The case remains subject to further legal proceedings. The allegations have not been proven in court, and Blake is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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