British Airways first officer falls victim to movie-like scam in supermarket car park

In a harrowing incident reminiscent of a movie plot, a British Airways pilot was kidnapped and subjected to torture during a stopover in Johannesburg. The unnamed First Officer, now off duty, encountered the shocking ordeal while innocently assisting a woman in a supermarket car park.

The distressing event unfolded when the pilot was approached by a woman seeking help with her bags. Little did he know, a group of men ambushed him upon reaching her car, forcibly pushing him inside the vehicle. Subsequently, the pilot was driven to a remote area in Johannesburg, where he faced severe physical assaults and was coerced into surrendering “thousands and thousands of pounds.”

The traumatic experience left the pilot unfit to operate the return flight to London from Johannesburg, prompting the airline to bring in a replacement. Colleagues have rallied around the victim, offering support during this challenging period.

A source familiar with the incident described it as “staggering” and likened it to a movie script. The pilot’s unwitting involvement in a scam, disguised as assisting a woman in need, quickly escalated into a terrifying situation. Hours of torture ensued, culminating in the pilot being left penniless. The source emphasized the pilot’s relief at merely surviving the ordeal, underscoring the profound impact the incident has had on the entire crew.

Despite the airline’s prohibition on staff accessing specific parts of the city, the crew hotel’s location in Melrose Arch, considered a secure area, raises concerns about the safety protocols in place.

British Airways responded to the incident, stating, “A crew member was abducted outside Checkers Bluebird supermarket just north of the Melrose Arch complex.”

As the details of this alarming event continue to emerge, the aviation community and beyond are left shocked by the audacious nature of the crime against a British Airways pilot on a routine stopover.