Man Accused of Swiping $23K from Plane Passengers
The man in question is Zhang Xiuqiang, a 52-year-old Chinese national, who had traveled on a low-cost Scoot Airline flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore. The airline confirmed that they were aware of the incident that occurred on a flight departing from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on December 16th.
A spokesperson from the airline informed CNN that a passenger alerted their crew to potential theft occurring within the cabin, and the local airport police were notified. The affected passenger was escorted off the plane by airport authorities for further investigation while other passengers disembarked as usual.
According to court documents accessed by Channel NewsAsia in Singapore, Zhang is accused of stealing items belonging to three passengers. Reports suggest that he removed 3 million Vietnamese Dong (approx. $123) from a passenger's luggage, 510 million Vietnamese Dong (approx. $20,950) and 50 Singapore Dollars (approx. $20,950) from another passenger's backpack, and an alleged $1,000 and 930 Singapore Dollars (approx. $700) from a third passenger's carry-on bag, found in the gray luggage compartment.
Airplane cabin theft is a common crime in several countries and is often overlooked by many travelers. In October, the Hong Kong police issued a warning about an increase in thefts from passengers' luggage at airports due to the discovery of a organized crime syndicate stealing credit cards. Cathay Pacific Airways also warned their employees in Hong Kong against stealing in-flight supplies from passengers' bags in 2019.
In September, a man was arrested in Taiwan for allegedly stealing money from another passenger's hand luggage during a flight from Tokyo to Taipei.
Currently, Zhang remains in police custody for ongoing investigations. If convicted of theft, he could face up to three years in prison and/or a fine per count.
The airline stated that they could not provide any further details about the incident but reminded crew and passengers to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
"Our cabin crew is trained to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities on our flights to the authorities," Scoot said in a statement. "We also advise our passengers to keep their valuables safe."
Security Tips for Travelers
- Keep valuable items secure in under-seat compartments or small bags under the seat.
- Use lockable bags, luggage straps, or combination locks to secure your bags.
- Position your bags in overhead compartments with zippers facing away from the aisle and tucked in.
- Remain alert, especially during boarding and when cabin lights are dimmed.
- Inform a flight attendant discreetly if you notice someone repeatedly accessing an overhead bin that's not theirs.
- Use anti-theft accessories such as money belts or neck wallets for carrying cash and important documents.
By adhering to these security measures, travelers can minimize their chances of being a victim of cabin theft.
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Enrichment Data Cabin theft on airplanes is becoming increasingly common, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia, where there has been a surge in reported incidents. The majority of cabin thefts occur on regional flights departing from or arriving in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. These routes are particularly susceptible due to high passenger traffic and shorter flight durations, which give thieves less time to be caught. Similar incidents have been reported worldwide, including Europe and North America.
Many of these thefts are part of organized crime operations targeting wealthy passengers on high-value routes. Thieves often position themselves strategically across different sections of the aircraft and have ground accomplices to retrieve stolen items once the flight lands.
To prevent cabin theft, passengers are advised to keep valuables close, secure their bags, position bags strategically, stay vigilant, and use anti-theft accessories. By taking these precautions, passengers can minimize their chances of falling victim to cabin theft.
