British YouTuber and prankster Max Fosh, real name Maximilian Arthur Fosh, sparked global curiosity this week after admitting he faked his own death to retrieve a 37.28 GBP (approximately Rs 4,300) flight refund from an unnamed airline. The elaborate scheme, detailed in his latest video titled "I Technically Died", ended with Fosh pulling out at the last moment following legal advice.

In the video, the 30-year-old 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 submissions? Code that doesn't even run… I technically died.”

Passenger needs to be dead for a refund

Fosh discovered that many airlines strictly deny refunds for non-refundable tickets unless the passenger has died. “I’m incredibly petty,” he said, adding that the airline in question was “a big, bad” one he preferred not to name.

While exploring ways to exploit the loophole, he ruled out dangerous or illegal methods like stopping his heartbeat or renaming someone terminally ill. Instead, he focused on the clause that asked for a death certificate but did not specify where it needed to be issued from.

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A self-declared nation comes to rescue

Fosh contacted the Principality of Seborga, a self-declared microstate in northern Italy with its own currency, flag and monarchy. To his surprise, Seborgan officials agreed to issue him a death certificate.

He travelled to the town, met Princess Nina Menegatto, was given a tour of the area, and even held a mock funeral where mourners paid tribute. He said, “I need to be technically dead to get back at an airline.” The principality’s fight for independence, he noted, aligned well with his fight against unfair airline policies.

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Airline agrees, lawyer steps in

With the Seborgan-issued death certificate in hand, Fosh submitted his request. The airline responded by asking for his bank details, suggesting the refund was approved.

However, before going further, he consulted his legal counsel. In a recorded call, the lawyer warned, “It’s not fraud, but it is fraudulent… Normally I would let you, but this time I really have to put my foot down.”

Fosh decided to abandon the claim and ended the video by telling viewers not to attempt the same. “Please, please, please do not do this yourself at home,” he said. Known for viral stunts like placing a fake “Welcome to Luton” sign at Gatwick Airport, Fosh concluded with his signature humour: “Join me next time where I try to commit less fraud.”