$2.8m worth of fraudulent vouchers allegedly sold by Southwest Airlines employee
A Southwest Airlines employee working at Chicago Midway International Airport has allegedly created and sold over USD$1.87 million (AUD$2.7m) in travel vouchers.
A federal indictment released on Tuesday identifies 36-year-old Dajuan Martin, a customer service representative with Southwest in Chicago, to have created fraudulent ‘Southwest Luv Vouchers’ under false names without the airline’s knowledge.
The vouchers are usually given to customers who had unsatisfactory experiences with the airline.
Most of the vouchers were worth between USD$200-500 (AUD$300-750)
It is alleged that Martin would then sell the vouchers below market value to another man, Ned Brooks, who would text Martin to request vouchers for ineligible ‘customers’.
Martin would then use the Southwest computer systems at Midway airport to generate the voucher.
Martin has been charged with 12 counts of wire fraud, while Brooks has been charged with four.
Arraignments are yet to be scheduled.
In the United States, an indictment is not evidence of guilt, the defendants are entitled to a trial.
Each count of wire fraud is punishable up to 20 years in federal prison.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Chicago Midway International Airport Dajuan Martin southwest airlines Southwest Luv VoucherLatest News
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