Politics & Government
Former Airline Employee Arrested, Accused Of Cheating System
She's accused of converting low cost flights to more expensive flights and destinations for friends, family and acquaintances - 505 times.
BOSTON – An airline employee was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with using her position as an airline gate agent to convert low cost flights to more expensive flights and destinations for friends, family and acquaintances.
Tiffany Jenkins, 30, was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed yesterday with wire fraud. The woman, who the complaint lists as being from Wellesley but the DA's office says was from Chelsea, was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.
The complaint alleges that as a gate agent, Jenkins used her access to the airline company’s computer reservation database to use a special code, referred to as an involuntary exchange or “INVOL,” to change flights for customers at no additional cost. This code enables agents to change flights for customers who miss their flights or experience a death in the family.
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During a 15-month period, from approximately July 1, 2016, through Sept. 27, 2017, Jenkins allegedly exchanged 505 tickets for more than 100 different passengers, costing the New York-based airline around $785,000.
Many of those exchanges occurred after the passenger was first booked on domestic flights at one of the airline company’s lowest available fares—often, roundtrip flights between Las Vegas, Nev., and Long Beach, Calif.
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A short time later, Jenkins exchanged those tickets for a completely different city pair, generally involving much more expensive international locations, for friends, family and acquaintances.
In an interview with the airline company Jenkins admitted to knowing what she did was wrong, according to the complaint, which notes that after the interview, the airline fired her.
Jenkins was subsequently interviewed by the FBI who she told she wanted her friends and family to travel the world and see tropical destinations.
She faces up to 20 years in prison,three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 for wire fraud.
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