Serial Airport Scammer Strikes Again In Newark, Cops Say

NEWARK, NJ — Port Authority police arrested a “serial airport scammer” and former pro-poker player on Thursday after he allegedly bilked a victim out of $200 at Newark Airport earlier this week, officials said.

It isn’t the first time that Michael H. Borovetz, 43, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been accused of scamming airport passengers out of money. He also allegedly ripped off passengers at Newark Liberty International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and McCarran International Airport, according to reports.

According to WSOP.com, Borovetz is a former pro-poker player and former chemical engineer who has won more than $50,000 playing cards. He finished in 17th place in the 2012 World Series of Poker, netting $21,689 on a $1,500 buy-in.

Borovetz’s latest arrest took place around 4:45 p.m. in Newark at the Terminal B, level 2 baggage claim, Port Authority police said.

According to police, the victim - a 55-year-old man from Princeton Junction – said that Borovetz approached him and said that his flight was cancelled and he needed $200 for a hotel room. Borovetz allegedly told the man that he would pay him back, and the victim went to a nearby ATM and gave him the cash. However, the victim soon became suspicious and complained to Port Authority police.

When detectives followed up on the complaint, they determined that Borovetz was also a suspect in a June 2017 scam at Newark Airport that followed the same method of operation, authorities said.

The victim in that alleged scam – a male traveler from San Jose – never got the “borrowed” money back, Port Authority police said.

According to the Port Authority:

“The PAPD has had other reports concerning [Borovetz] allegedly purchasing a refundable airline ticket in order to access the secure area of the airport where he proceeded to scam people for money. He would pretend to have missed his flight, ask for $200 and promise to pay the victim back. He would then use the victim’s business card in the next scam, claiming to have a job interview with them.”

After the April 3 incident, Port Authority police learned that Borovetz was at the Newark Airport Marriott and arrested him there around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Borovetz has a court date scheduled in Essex County on April 17, police said.

In 2014, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested Borovetz at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after he allegedly scammed several passengers with a fake story that his departing flight was canceled because of bad weather and he needed $200 for a hotel room, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Police told The Charlotte Observer that Borovetz had been arrested in 10 states.

A 2014 report on Deadspin said Borovetz is a former chemical engineer who found himself addicted to poker, pai gow and baccarat. He was arrested at McCarran International Airport after allegedly running the same scam on passengers there, the report stated.

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