MIAMI – A Miami man is accused of scamming more than $260,000 worth of frequent flyer miles from American Airlines customers.
Milad Avazdavani faces charges of first-degree grand theft, computer fraud and unlawful possession of a stolen credit or debit card.
Miami-Dade police said Avazdavani used frequent flyer miles belonging to six American Airlines customers and redeemed the points to buy and resell tickets.
Police said Avazdavani rented expensive cars and scheduled hotel stays using the victims' miles.
"I'm actually going through a financial hardship at this time," Avazdavani told a Miami-Dade County judge during his initial court appearance Wednesday. "I would try my best to put some money together to hire an attorney, but if I could, for the start of the case, have a public defender."
Judge Mindy Glazer appointed the public defender's office to represent him.
Police said Avazdavani cashed in on other people's miles between December and February.
The total value of the theft was $263,112.05.
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