Dhaka, Jan. 22 -- A Toronto resident is facing wire fraud charges in the United States after authorities alleged he impersonated airline crew members to obtain hundreds of free flights over several years.

US prosecutors claimed 33-year-old Dallas Pokornik fabricated airline employee identification cards, allowing him to book flights intended for pilots and flight attendants without paying. The alleged scheme spanned nearly four years and, according to court documents, included at least one attempt to gain access to a cockpit jump seat - an area reserved for qualified pilots.

Pokornik was arrested in Panama and later extradited to the US, where he now faces federal charges.

Investigators said, the case bears similarities to the film Cat...