Latest news with #Fosh
Mint
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
YouTuber 'dies' in Italian micronation to outwit airline refund policy, here's how he did it
Popular British YouTuber Max Fosh faked his own death to claim a £37.28 ($50) refund after an airline refused repayment for his missed flight. The 30-year-old comedian, known for his 4.7 million-subscriber channel, discovered airlines only offer cash refunds if passengers die. Declaring himself "incredibly petty," Fosh sought revenge by exploiting this loophole. His mission? To become "technically dead" on paper. After researching options, he contacted Seborga, a self-declared micronation in Italy unrecognized by global governments. Princess Nina Menegatto, sympathetic to Fosh's battle against "big bad airlines," agreed to help. Fosh traveled to Seborga, where Princess Nina hosted a faux "diplomatic visit" and signed a custom death certificate validating his "demise." To bolster his case, he staged a funeral with three hired mourners and a eulogy from his video editor. The 'Principality', which has its own flag and currency, participated purely for entertainment. Fosh then submitted the documents to the unnamed airline, betting staff wouldn't scrutinize them closely. The stunt cost him significantly more than the refund, flights to Italy, car rentals, and actor fees, but he insisted it was about principle, not money. Five days later, the airline approved his refund and requested bank details. But Fosh's lawyer intervened, warning that claiming the money was "fraudulent" under the UK's Fraud Act 2006, despite not being outright fraud. Though the YouTuber argued airlines exploit customers with rigid policies, he abandoned the payout. In his viral video "I Technically Died," he urged viewers not to replicate the scheme. Legal experts note that while Seborga's certificate lacks legal weight, using it for financial gain could invite charges. The airline has not commented publicly. Meanwhile, the video sparked global debate, amassing 2+ million views. Supporters praised Fosh's creativity and critique of predatory airline policies, while critics called it wasteful. Social media reactions ranged from "Dude is so petty" to admiration for involving a micronation in "fraudulent behaviour." Fosh, famous for stunts like gambling in Vegas with a talking parrot, turned satire into a viral protest. Though he forfeited the £37, he highlighted how travelers lose thousands to nonrefundable tickets. Princess Nina's office confirmed cooperation was solely for entertainment, underscoring the stunt's absurdity.
NDTV
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"I'm Incredibly Petty": YouTuber Fakes Death To Secure Rs 4,300 Refund From Airline
British YouTuber and comedian Max Fosh has gone viral for his elaborate attempt to secure a $50 (approximately Rs 4,300) refund from an airline by faking his own death. In a recent vlog, the 30-year-old shared how he successfully requested repayment for a cancelled flight after staging his own death with legal documentation to back it up. He began by explaining that the airline - the name of which he omitted from the video - would only provide refunds in cases where the passenger had died. "I am embarking on this mission because I'm incredibly petty... It's the principle that I take issue with," the YouTuber said in the video titled "I Technically Died." In the vlog, Fosh explained that two months earlier, he had booked a flight that he ultimately couldn't take. When he tried to request a refund, he discovered "a cheeky legal clause that airlines use that lost of people fall foul of." "Airlines will only provide cash refunds if passengers are dead," the comedian shared. "So, I needed to die. This is a story of how I traveled to another country, held my own funeral, and was legally declared dead, all to get back 37.28 pounds [approximately $50] from the big bad airlines," he added. Fosh said that he contacted several foreign governments before he finally received a response from Seborga, which he explained to be a "self-declared principality" that claims it was "accidentally left out of the unification of Italy." "The town has operated as an independent nation with its own flag, currency and government. Despite not being recognized as an official independent nation, Seborga and its people fight every day for its independence and legitimacy," he said. Fosh went to Seborga on the grounds of a state visit with the "Princess" of the principality, Nina Menegatto. After she toured Fosh around, he told her about his quest for a refund, and she was willing to help him out. "My fight with a big airline seemed to resonate with the Princess, and Seborga's fight for independence. So she kindly agreed to sign a special, one-off death certificate," the content creator said. To further sell his elaborate scheme, Fosh hosted a faux funeral for himself, which was attended by three hired "mourners". He then gathered all the necessary documents, including the death certificate, to submit the refund application. "My hope is that the (airline) gets a lot of these and so they don't look at it for too long," Fosh said. Five days later, the YouTuber received an email from the airline agreeing to continue with his application. However, at this point, Fosh decided to consult with his lawyer, who advised him not to take any more steps to claim the money. "It's not fraud, but it is fraudulent," Fosh's lawyer said in a clip. "I normally would let you, but this time I really have to put my foot down," he added. The 30-year-old ended the vlog by saying that he followed the legal advice and ended his effort to get a refund. He also warned his viewers not to try the scheme themselves. Since being shared, Fosh's video has garnered more than 2.1 million views on YouTube.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
British YouTuber fakes death certificate to get flight ticket refund
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Maximilian Arthur Fosh, popularly known as Max Fosh , a British YouTuber and comedian with over 4.7 million subscribers, faced a backlash after he faked his own death to recover about £37.28 (approximately Rs 4,300) paid for an air ticket, on a confession on one of his videos, titled "I Technically Died," he said, "Two months ago, I booked a flight. A flight I then couldn't go on. When I tried to apply for a refund, I found a cheeky legal clause that airlines use that lots of people fall foul of.'The 30-year-old YouTuber used a death certificate to seek a refund from an unnamed airline. As per law, airlines refrain from providing refunds for non-refundable tickets unless the passenger has execute the plan, Fosh contacted the Principality of Seborga, a self-declared microstate in northern Italy that agreed to issue him a death certificate. There, he even held a mock funeral where mourners paid making a bet on the plan, Fosh consulted a lawyer who warned him of the fraudulent act and denied support. The airline, however, processed the refund post submission of the death certificate by ending his video, Fosh discouraged viewers from making any such attempts.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
YouTuber tricks Airline with fake death, gets ₹4300 refund in viral stunt
A British YouTuber, Maximilian Arthur Fosh, known as Max Fosh, gained attention after faking his death to secure a refund from an airline. Fosh, 30, revealed in a video how he travelled to a small Italian territory to arrange a fake funeral as part of his plan to get back 37.28 GBP (around Rs. 4,300). How the YouTuber Fakes His Death to Get a Flight Refund Fosh explained that he had booked a flight two months earlier but could not use it. When he requested a refund, he discovered a clause stating that airlines only provide cash refunds to passengers who have died. He described this as a 'cheeky legal clause' often overlooked by travellers. The video, titled 'I Technically Died,' shows how he took advantage of this rule. Also read: iOS 26: From visual intelligence to message filters - Here's what's coming to your iPhone To obtain proof of death, Fosh visited the Principality of Seborga, a self-declared micronation in northern Italy. There, he met Princess Nina Menegatto and received an official death certificate. The officials invited him to learn about Seborga's history and culture and even offered a state visit. Using the death certificate, Fosh submitted a refund request to the airline. The airline accepted the claim and asked for bank details to process the refund. However, his lawyer later advised him to pause the refund to avoid legal trouble. The lawyer stated, 'It's not fraud, but it is fraudulent,' and insisted that Fosh stop. Also read: Samsung Galaxy tri-fold phone leaked via One UI 8 animations- When will it launch? Online Reactions The YouTube video has attracted more than two million views and sparked various reactions online. Some commenters found the stunt amusing, while others criticised it. One user said, 'Your lawyer must have a very interesting time dealing with you.' Another commented, 'Dude is so petty that he booked another flight just to get a refund.' Also read: Oppo Reno 14 Pro, Reno 14 5G mobiles launched in India at a price of under ₹ 40,000: Camera, processor and more Airline Refund Policies Airlines typically offer refunds for cancelled or delayed flights, but policies vary. Many allow refunds if cancelled within a set period or if the airline cancels or significantly changes the flight. Non-refundable tickets often come with limited refund options, such as only taxes and fees being returned or travel credits being offered. Mobile finder: iPhone 16 LATEST price, specs and all details First Published Date: 04 Jul, 11:57 IST
India Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
British YouTuber fakes his death to get Rs 4,300 refund from airline. But...
In one of the most bizarre refund heists the internet has seen, a British YouTuber staged his own funeral and was officially declared "dead' in a bid to reclaim 37.28 GBP (approximately Rs 4,300) from an Fosh documented the stunt in a video titled 'I Technically Died' that has garnered over 18 lakh views so far.'I am hosting my own funeral because I mean to be technically dead to get back at an airline. Two months ago, I booked a flight I couldn't board. When I asked for a refund, I found a cheeky little clause airlines use that many people fall for,' Fosh said in the Then, Fosh jetted off to the Principality of Seborga, a self-declared micronation in northern Italy, after discovering a clause in the airline's policy: refunds are only granted in the event of a passenger's death.'Airlines will only provide cash refunds if passengers are dead. So, I needed to die. This is the story of how I travelled to another country, and held my own funeral and was legally declared dead all to get back 37.28 GBP (Rs 4,300, approximately) from the big bad airline,' he head of state, Princess Nina Menegatto, was seemingly sympathetic to Fosh's cause and issued a one-time death certificate declaring him 'officially dead' on behalf of the principality. To complete the illusion, the YouTuber even hired mourners and hosted his own the video was comedic in tone, it carried a clear message: "I've realised people have lost thousands of pounds because of these airlines.' Despite refraining from naming the airline, Fosh's commentary targeted industry-wide refund practices several customers find Meanwhile, after submitting the Seborgan death certificate, Fosh received a response from the airline agreeing to process the refund and requesting his bank details. But, just as he was about to cash in on his mission, his lawyer intervened.'It's not fraud, but it is fraudulent,' said the lawyer over the phone, warning him against ultimately agreed, saying, 'He told me off and said that I mustn't claim the money,' concluding the video with a disclaimer to his audience: 'Please, please do not do this to yourself at home.'- Ends
