The FBI is investigating a bizarre case of a Russian man who managed to board a flight from Europe to the US without a visa or a ticket, according to sources familiar with the matter.
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The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, allegedly flew from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York, US, on December 10, 2023, using a fake boarding pass and a stolen passport, the sources said.
The man was able to bypass the security checks at the Frankfurt airport and the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the New York airport, the sources said.
The man was arrested by the FBI after he arrived at the New York airport, where he claimed he was seeking asylum in the US, the sources said.
The FBI is trying to determine how the man was able to pull off the stunt, and whether he had any accomplices or motives, the sources said.
The FBI is also working with the German authorities and the airline to review the security protocols and procedures at the airports and on the flight, the sources said.
The man's case is reminiscent of the so-called "flying Dutchman", who flew around the world for free in the 1990s using fake tickets and passports.
The man's case also raises questions about the security of international air travel, especially amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the rising tensions between the US and Russia.
The US has accused Russia of conducting cyberattacks, election interference, and human rights violations, while Russia has denied the allegations and accused the US of meddling in its affairs.
The FBI declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The CBP, the German authorities, and the airline did not respond to requests for comment.
