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NewsWPLG Local 10October 27, 2026Miami-Dade County

American Airlines flight attendant arrested at MIA for allegedly scamming 75-year-old Florida woman out of $25K

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Destiny Blake, a 24-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Brooklyn, was arrested at Miami International Airport after investigators said she used employee travel benefits to visit a 75-year-old Florida woman's home and carry out a $25,310 sweepstakes fraud scheme. Authorities stated Blake faces multiple felony charges, including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft, following an investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. According to detectives, the suspect exploited the victim through fake Publishers Clearing House calls, unauthorized credit card charges, and hijacked email accounts.

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Why It Matters

A senior resident lost over $25,000 in a multi-week fraud scheme involving hijacked digital accounts, unauthorized credit card use, and cash transfers.

Key Facts

  • Destiny Blake, 24, was arrested at Miami International Airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on an arrest warrant issued Oct. 13.
  • Investigators estimated the 75-year-old Palm Coast victim lost approximately $25,310 in the sweepstakes scam and subsequent financial exploitation.
  • The scheme began in November 2025 when the victim received a call from someone falsely claiming to represent Publishers Clearing House.
  • Detectives determined that Blake received $14,220 through cash and Zelle payments after the victim withdrew funds between Nov. 15 and Nov. 19.
  • Blake allegedly used American Airlines employee travel privileges to fly standby from New York to Daytona Beach on Nov. 18, taking an Uber to visit the victim's home the following morning.
  • Eighty-eight transactions totaling $10,590.30 were charged to the victim's credit cards between Nov. 16 and Dec. 11, 2025, including eBay orders, Apple products, and salon services.
  • A family member discovered a handwritten note inside the victim's home instructing her to tell the credit card company that Blake was her granddaughter with permission to use the account.
  • Blake faces charges of organized scheme to defraud more than $20,000 from a victim 65 or older, fraudulent use of personal identification information of a person 60 or older, and grand theft of more than $20,000.
  • Blake was transported to the Miami-Dade County jail and later released on a $30,000 bond.

Who's Mentioned

locationCharlotte“Where purchases were made using the victim's credit card”OrganizationAmerican Airlines“Provided employee travel benefits utilized during the alleged crimes”OrganizationU.S. Customs and Border Protection“Detained Blake at Miami International Airport upon her return from an internatio”PersonDestiny Blake“24-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from Brooklyn, New York”OrganizationFlagler County Sheriff’s Office“Obtained the arrest warrant and led the financial exploitation investigation”locationQueens“Where surveillance captured Blake using the victim's credit card at a supermarke”locationKingston“Where an Uber transaction was paid in Jamaican dollars”locationPalm Coast“Where the 75-year-old victim lives and where Blake allegedly traveled”locationBrooklyn“Where the suspect resides and where illicitly purchased items were delivered”locationMiami International Airport“Where CBP officers took Blake into custody”OrganizationPublishers Clearing House“Used in the fake sweepstakes scheme to trick the victim”OrganizationMiami-Dade County jail“Where Blake was transported following her arrest”PersonRick Staly“Provided statements regarding the arrest and investigation”locationDaytona Beach International Airport“Airport utilized by Blake during her trip to the victim's home area”