Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 3, 2025 · Entertainment

YouTube Star Declares Himself 'Legally Dead' to Outsmart Airline Refund Policy!

A popular YouTube star has sparked a fierce debate after he declared himself legally 'dead' so he could get a refund from an airline

The Bizarre Tale of Max Fosh: The YouTube Star Who Tried to Fake His Own Death to Get a Refund

In a jaw-dropping move, popular social media sensation and comedian Max Fosh has left fans and critics alike stunned after revealing that he attempted to fake his own death to get a refund from an airline. In a shocking video posted on his YouTube channel earlier this week, which has since gone viral with over 2 million views, Max shares the outrageous story of how he traveled to another country, held a mock funeral for himself, and was officially declared dead – all in a bid to get back a whopping $50.90.

The controversy began when Max realized that his airline wouldn't refund him after he missed his flight due to unforeseen circumstances. Feeling frustrated by the airline's inflexible policy, Max decided to dig deeper into the fine print of their contract. And what he discovered would change everything.

Max Fosh, 30, from London, went viral after he revealed in a YouTube video that he had allegedly faked his own death because he wanted to get his money back on a flight

As it turns out, the airline's terms and conditions stated that they would issue a refund if the passenger was deceased. A clever loophole, but one that raised questions about its legitimacy. Undeterred by the absurdity of it all, Max hatched a plan to obtain a death certificate from another country. And so, he set off on an adventure to Seborga, a self-declared principality in Italy that boasts its own flag, currency, and government.

In a surreal video clip, Max explains how he contacted the "press offices of major governments" from various countries, eventually getting a response from the authorities in Seborga. The officials there were more than happy to oblige his request for a death certificate – all they required was a small fee, which Max happily paid.

But that's not where the story ends. Oh no. In a bizarre twist, Max proceeded to hold a mock funeral for himself, complete with hired mourners and an eulogy from his editor, Dave. The scene is almost too ridiculous to believe – and yet, it's hard not to be charmed by Max's audacity.

Max went to Seborga, 'a self-declared principality claiming to be accidentally left out of the unification of Italy'

"I'm incredibly petty," Max admits in the video, "and I was determined to get back at the airline for their ridiculous policy." He claims that he wasn't motivated by financial gain (the refund was only $50.90, after all), but rather a desire to expose the airline's unfair practices and bring attention to the plight of passengers who have lost thousands of dollars due to similar policies.

However, as the video comes to an end, Max reveals that his plan has taken an unexpected turn. After consulting with a lawyer, he was informed that faking one's own death to get a refund is, in fact, fraudulent. The bombshell drops like a ton of bricks – and suddenly, the whole ordeal seems more like a reckless prank than a clever publicity stunt.

But despite his change of heart (or should we say, his change of mind?), Max remains unapologetic about his actions. "I'm not saying I condone what I did," he says in a final statement. "But I do think it's funny, and I hope you enjoy watching this video."

There, he met with 'the Princess of Seborga' Nina Menegatto, who, after giving him a tour, went ahead and signed the death certified

And enjoy it they certainly have – with many viewers cracking jokes and commending Max for his ingenuity, while others slam him for wasting time and resources on an ill-fated scheme.

In the end, as the comments section reveals a lively debate between fans and critics alike, one thing is clear: Max Fosh has once again managed to generate headlines and spark conversations about the absurdities of modern life. Whether or not his stunt was justified remains up for interpretation – but one thing's for sure: this YouTube star knows how to create controversy.

Sources: TheScholarlyNote.com

He applied for a refund with the airline and sent them his 'death certificate' - and low and behold, it allegedly worked

Max went as far as holding a fake funeral for himself, during which he 'hired' three fake mourners and asked his editor, Dave, to 'say a few touching words'

But Max decided to check with a lawyer before sending his bank information, and he soon realized that faking your own death to get an airline refund is 'fraudulent'

In the end, he decided not to claim the money, and advised his viewers against trying something similar