Samuel Leeds, a 34-year-old British real estate investor, recently posted a video showcasing his family aboard a Gulfstream private jet flying back to London on March 4. This came despite ongoing attacks in the Gulf region, which Leeds insisted was "not dangerous at all."

His decision to boast about spending 150,000 GBP (approximately 200,000 USD) on a private jet charter drew public outrage. This was particularly ill-received as tens of thousands of other tourists struggled to find a way home due to widespread commercial flight cancellations.

Amidst the panic at the airport, Leeds casually offered advice: "If you're stuck, just drive three hours to Oman and then spend 100,000 GBP to charter a private jet straight to London. I don't understand why everyone isn't doing that."

Samuel Leeds, 34, chartered a private jet to take his family out of a conflict zone on March 4, despite previously claiming Dubai was "safer than the UK and the US." Photo: @SamuelLeeds

This incident occurred while many influencers were simultaneously praising Dubai as "the safest place in the world," regardless of security developments. According to observers, these influencers feared severe penalties or imprisonment under UAE law if their statements were perceived to damage the nation's reputation.

On social media, Leeds quickly became a target of ridicule. Numerous comments questioned: "If Dubai is truly safe, why did you have to rush your wife and children out on a private jet?"

Attempting to appease public opinion, the 34-year-old millionaire explained that his multi-million-pound departure was merely for a "business meeting," as regular flight schedules had been disrupted. He also argued that the number of people killed by gun violence in the UK and the US was higher than the number of victims in Dubai's attacks. "I am a global citizen, free to travel anywhere with my own money," Leeds stated.

However, this stance sharply contrasted with his panic just days prior. On his personal page, Leeds had described his dread of being trapped under a risky sky, sharing: "It's concerning to have small children and family around," before abruptly changing his tone and claiming the media was "lying."

Samuel Leeds is a controversial figure online. His company has often been criticized for high-pressure, false-promise tactics for selling wealth-building courses and has faced numerous accusations of exposing students to financial and legal risks.

Currently, tens of thousands of Western tourists are stranded in the region, with thousands of flights canceled daily. This situation has caused private jet rental prices to skyrocket. A short flight from Muscat, Oman, to Istanbul, Turkey, now costs over 70,000 GBP, double the normal rate.

Minh Phuong (Source: Daily Mail)