Gennady Podolsky, the managing partner at Vega International Travel Services, Inc. & a dual citizen of Ukraine and the United States, disclosed his involvement in the act of engaging in the illicit trade of electronic credentials.
Gennady Podolsky’s actions constituted a breach of confidence towards the corporations or persons that availed themselves of Vega’s offerings, as he engaged in illicit use of credentials linked to Delta Air Lines SkyBonus cards.
The individual engaged in fraudulent activity by acquiring Delta SkyBonus points through the purchase of event passes. The occurrence of unethical conduct resulted in significant monetary losses for major organizations such as Delta Air Lines.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a thorough investigation into the issue at hand and successfully apprehended Podolsky.
Chris Hacker, the Special Agent in Command of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Atlanta, affirmed the FBI’s commitment to safeguarding businesses and pursuing legal action against those involved in deceptive conduct. U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak underscored the commitment to apprehend and prosecute anyone involved in bribery.
Vega International Travel Solutions, Inc. was a little travel business situated in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The firm provided a comprehensive array of travel-related services, with a primary focus on facilitating air ticket reservations for customers residing in foreign countries.
Vega Travel was under the management of Gennady Podolsky, who concurrently served as the principal travel agency. Delta Air Lines is a prominent airline with its headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia.
The carrier employs server computers for the purpose of computerized ticket handling and electronic communication. Delta Airlines provides two distinct frequent-flyer applications, namely SkyMiles, catering to private customers, and SkyBonus, specifically designed to cater to the needs of corporations.
Both of the programs provide participants the opportunity to accumulate credits that may be redeemed for complimentary travel plus various other perks.
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Enrolled enterprises are provided with a distinct user identification and a username and password enabling them to exchange accumulated SkyBonus rewards for airline reward documents, ticket updates, or various other advantageous offerings.
The process of acquiring reward vouchers for complimentary airfare is initiated by submitting a request on the SkyBonus webpage.
Delta Airlines distributes documents, referred to as “Delta eCerts,” to receivers by means of electronic mail, specifically to the email account provided by the person receiving them.
In order to avail of complimentary travel through an eCert, the person receiving it is required to input an eCert number while making a ticket and afterward choose a qualifying ticket.
Gennady Podolsky engaged in deceptive practices by establishing a false account using the pseudonym “RGI Global” with the intention of illicitly accumulating SkyBonus credits.
Gennady Podolsky was additionally responsible for inducing individuals to employ pseudonyms in their correspondence with Delta.
In addition, the individual proceeded to transfer the username and password associated with RGI International’s fraudulent SkyBonus account to an employee of Vega Global Travel Service, Inc.
The illicit action enabled the staff member to get unauthorized permission to use Delta’s SkyBonus system of computers, thereby facilitating the booking of airfare for Vega’s clientele on Delta aircraft.
Gennady Podolsky, residing in Chicago, Illinois, was engaged in the unauthorized transfer of a username and password associated with a Delta SkyBonus account owned by RGI International.
This action was taken with the intention of linking the account in question to tickets pertaining to certain consumers. The individuals in question were not affiliated with any organization identified as RGI Global.
Through this action, Podolsky insured that the account had illicitly acquired Delta SkyBonus points in exchange for the cost of event tickets. A sentencing hearing for the work of Pod has been set and will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones.
As stipulated in the plea bargain, Podolsky has consented to remit a sum of $1,000,000 to Delta Airlines as a form of reparation prior to the imposition of his sentence.
Furthermore, he has consented to refrain from engaging in any commercial activities involving Delta Airlines or other affiliated entities in subsequent instances.
The probe of the matter is being conducted by the United States Bureau of Investigations, with prosecution being carried out by Deputy U.S. Attorneys Bernita Malloy, John S. Ghose, & Glenn D. Baker.
Gennady Podolsky: Travel Agent Allegedly Pilfers Nearly $2 Million Worth of Frequent Flyer Points
A partner at a travel agency based in Chicago is facing charges of fraud for allegedly stealing and redeeming nearly $2 million worth of Delta Air Lines frequent flyer points.
Gennady Podolsky is accused of exploiting his position in the travel industry to take advantage of his clients. According to Atlanta-based U.S. Attorney Byung Pak, Podolsky illegally benefited from Delta Airlines’ corporate frequent flyer program, earning millions of SkyBonus points, valued at over $1.75 million.
Prosecutors claim that Gennady Podolsky earned 42 million points in a year starting in the spring of 2014. Gennady Podolsky is a dual citizen of Ukraine and the United States and is also the managing partner of Vega International Travel Services.
In 2016, Wired magazine published an article about him, describing him as having a “bag of tricks” to help his customers get to their desired destination. Podolsky, who considers himself very creative, works in transportation.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Georgia (Delta’s headquarters is in Atlanta), Vega Travel served customers of Eastern European and Russian descent who lived abroad.
Gennady Podolsky allegedly took advantage of a large number of points accumulated through Delta’s SkyBonus program, which allows registered businesses to earn points that can be exchanged for free miles or other benefits when their employees travel.
He reportedly arranged to register a SkyBonus account in the name of a fertility center that was owned and operated by a relative of the Vega president.
According to prosecutors, Gennady Podolsky, a travel advisor, booked tickets for other customers that earned SkyBonus miles for a fertility center, even though those clients had no connection to the business. He has been charged with 12 counts of wire fraud.
However, Podolsky’s lawyer argues that his actions were not fraudulent. The defense attorney, Seth Kirschenbaum, has stated that Podolsky is a respected and skilled travel advisor who has served a loyal clientele for many years.
The government claims that Delta, the airline involved, was a victim of Podolsky’s actions, but the defense argues that evidence will show that Delta actually made millions of dollars in profits from their relationship with Podolsky.
Delta has stated that they are pleased to see the prosecution of any fraud and will continue to work with the FBI and the District Attorney’s office to ensure that this case is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Who is Gennady Podolsky?
Gennady Podolsky is a highly esteemed authority in the field of travel, possessing extensive expertise in the realm of worldwide travel coordination, accumulated over years of professional expertise.
He has provided assistance to a significant number of passengers with distinct requirements in navigating intricate travel limitations and tastes, guaranteeing favorable results for his clientele.
Gennady Podolsky consistently offers his specialized knowledge in international travel to his devoted clientele and actively contributes to WikiMiles, a platform devoted to aiding travelers in optimizing their flight miles, points for loyalty, and various other travel-related endeavors.
Gennady Podolsky, originally hailing from Odesa, Ukraine, relocated to the US in 1993 with the purpose of pursuing higher education at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.
During this period, he cultivated a profound appreciation for exploration and tourism and initiated his inaugural business endeavor within the realm of travel. To know more about him, you may follow the link: Gennady Podolsky
Final Thoughts
In a high-stakes legal battle, Gennady Podolsky, a partner of a travel agency in Chicago, is facing charges of fraud. It is alleged that he misappropriated and cashed in nearly $2 million worth of Delta Air Lines frequent flyer points.
The prosecution claims that Podolsky used his position within the travel industry to take advantage of Delta’s SkyBonus program, which enabled him to accumulate an astonishing 42 million points in just a year. These points are estimated to be valued at over $1.75 million.
