There’s an old saying: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” This phrase is a warning to be cautious of deals or offers that seem unrealistic or overly attractive; they may be misleading or deceptive. Unfortunately, for an American Airlines passenger, he not only fell for a fake ticket scam but his reaction was pure insanity.
A video was posted on A Fly Guy’s Instagram account with this caption and description:
American Airlines Passenger Attacks Ticket Counter with Hammer After Discovering Fake Ticket Scam
“A Haitian man is caught on camera destroying an American Airlines counter at Santiago’s Nuevo Pudahuel Airport in Chile. The construction worker flew into a violent rage after realizing he had been scammed with a fake plane ticket.
The incident occurred late Monday as the man, who was scheduled to fly to Miami before continuing to Haiti, was informed by airline staff that he couldn’t board the flight. Footage shows him pulling a hammer from his work bag and attacking the counter in frustration.”
Here’s the video:
View this post on Instagram
According to The Sun, “The fuming passenger was placed under arrest by authorities and was scheduled to appear before a judge on Wednesday.”
After seeing the video on local news and hearing that he pulled a hammer out of his bag, I was taken aback because … who travels with a hammer? But it made sense after learning he was a construction worker. It must have been in a bag he was planning to check because you’re not allowed to travel with a hammers or other tools with a similar function in carry-on luggage. However, they are allowed in checked luggage.
Social media is tearing this guy up but as one person commented, “He got scammed and reacted terribly but the lack of empathy for the man is crazy. You have no idea why he was going where he was. What if he was flying to his mother’s funeral and couldn’t afford another flight? Instead of judging learn to empathize 👌🏽”
Obviously, American Airlines didn’t sell him a fake ticket. He probably saw a fake ad on Google or social media and thought he could save some money but not only did it cost him the price of the ticket, but he added another $20,000 in destruction, let alone the cost of a lawyer and the time he’s going to spend in jail.
This is an important reminder to scrutinize offers, deals and claims that seem too good to be true to avoid potential scams … and to keep your cool if you do fall for one. Getting tricked happens to almost every traveler including travel experts like myself and Rick Steves who got pickpocketed three times.
KEEP READING:
–Is your hotel scamming you?
–Don’t fall for it: Scammers are pretending to be customs and border protection agents
–Cybersecurity and fraud expert shares tips on how not to get scammed when traveling
–How to avoid vacation rental scams
–Don’t fall for these QR code scams
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I was kind of expecting a Home Depot ad on the side to tie in to the hammer! :)
LOL! We have to have it on every page just in case there’s advertising.
I do not empathize with him, it doesn’t matter the reason or how awful his day was, that activity is uncalled for. Reminds a lot of the guy the other day that you posted, running down the jetway and kicking it and the airplane.