Texan gets 7 years for Craigslist airline jobs ID scam

DALLAS, TX -- A North Texas man must serve seven years in prison for running a Craigslist airlines jobs scam and stealing personal information from applicants.

Phillip Sean Anthony of Grand Prairie was sentenced Wednesday in Dallas. Anthony last June pleaded guilty to mail fraud and to aggravated identity theft. He must also make $200,000 in restitution.

Prosecutors say Anthony in 2008 and 2009 placed bogus advertisements on Craigslist seeking customer service and reservations agents for United Airlines, JetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways. He targeted victims in areas where the airlines were based - Chicago, New York City and Orlando, Florida.

Investigators say Anthony sent job applications to the respondents, then stole personal information he received from them. Anthony then set up fraudulent financial accounts and bought prepaid debit cards for himself.