A man that has impersonated as an airline pilot and tricked his way into the cockpit of at least one plane was arrested in the Turin airport. The man had used a fake identity card and was wearing a pilot's uniform.
The 32-year-old man had created a fake identity as a Lufthansa pilot named "Andrea Sirlo" which also included a fake Facebook page.
According to Reuters, police say they were alerter about Sirlo a few months ago after he introduced himself as a captain to a Civil Aviation lieutenant, but seemed to young for the job so he appeared suspicious.
National military police tracked Sirlo down from his Facebook page profile which showed him wearing a uniform and sunglasses. He was arrested at Turin Airport Friday. According to police, Sirlo had traveled without cost on at least one flight as a third pilot in which he sat in a cockpit.
Police later found more fake ID cards, pilot uniforms, training manuals and an airport staff parking permit as well as two fake resumes at his home. He has been charged with assuming a false identity and attempting to threaten air security.
The case mirrors that of conman Frank Abagnale Jr. who flew more than one million miles on over 250 flights to 26 countries in the 1950s. He had secured a PanAm uniform by forging a pilot's license. His story is showcased in the film, "Catch me if you Can," starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Sirlo reportedly told police, according to The Guardian, "I saw that film and I wanted to be like Frank Abagnale.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
