Commercial airlines are becoming a hot spot for jet-setting thieves who orchestrate mid-air heists on unsuspecting passengers.
Such incidents which involve thefts from carry-on luggage stored in overhead cabins, represent a series of thefts that have occurred onboard commercial airlines recently in Singapore and the region.
Singapore imposes jail sentences on thieves who steal from other passengers
A District Judge said that while the number of thefts on board Singapore-controlled aircraft may not yet be as concerning as other countries in the region, a heavy sentence is needed to deter not only individual travellers who succumb to greed, but also criminal syndicates from targeting Singapore-controlled aircraft. The judge made this comment in February when he sentenced a Chinese national to eight months’ jail for stealing US$885 from another passenger while on board an aircraft flying from Jeju, South Korea to Singapore.
The Deputy Public Prosecutor said that the sentence imposed must send “an unstinting message to both the accused and other foreigners that Singapore will not tolerate foreigners boarding Singapore-bound flights to commit crimes”. He said this in relation to an eight-month jail sentence imposed on a mainland Chinese man who stole cash amounting to some US$2,500 from three passengers during a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore.
In March, a mainland Chinese man was sentenced to 10 months’ jail in Singapore for stealing about US$180 cash and a credit card from a fellow passenger while onboard a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
During a flight from Sydney to Singapore in March, a man stole his colleague’s wallet that she put in a haversack in the overhead compartment. The Indonesian man was sentenced in April to six months’ jail for theft and trying to use the card at Changi Airport.
In June 2024, in one of the worst cases of theft onboard a plane, a man who stole cash worth about US$88,900 from a fellow passenger on a Singapore Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, was sentenced to 30 months’ jail.
Other cases in the region
A Chinese national was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in February in South Korea for stealing a fellow passenger’s credit card on a flight and using it to spend US$68,842. The incident took place on a flight from Hong Kong to Incheon in May last year.
The Star reported that two Chinese nationals were fined a total of US$1,340 for stealing US$1,300 from two Malaysians during a flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. They are lucky to get off with just a fine and not a jail sentence.
In December last year, the Hong Kong security chief revealed that thefts onboard aircraft bound for Hong Kong almost doubled in 2024. According to government data, a total of 169 reports were lodged in the first 10 months of 2024 against 92 recorded in the whole of 2023. What was stolen was mostly cash in various currencies, expensive jewellery, luxury watches and credit cards totalling more than US$550,000.
How to keep your valuables safe on flights
The Straits Times provided tips on how to keep your valuables safe on a flight, based on comments provided by travel security experts.
- Choose an overhead compartment across from your seat
Instead of placing your carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment directly above you, choose one across from your seat. This allows you to monitor your bags and notice any suspicious activity. - Lock your carry-on bags
For additional safety, especially on long haul flights, passengers should lock their carry-on bags. - Keep valuables on yourself
Passengers should keep valuables such as wallets, passports, electronic devices and expensive jewellery on themselves instead of in overhead compartments or checked luggage. Keep such items secure in zippered or buttoned pockets. - Don’t leave valuables unattended
When leaving your seat, such as to use the restroom, do not leave your valuables unattended. If possible, take essential items such as passports, wallets and electronics with you. - Attach key chains or bells to bags
If you do need to store your belongings in an overhead cabin or are worried about your property being stolen, try adding a key chain or bell to your bag. If someone is attempting to steal your belongings, a noisy keychain could help to alert you. - Check your belongings thoroughly before landing
Before landing, remember to double-check your belongings to ensure nothing is missing. Passengers have de-boarded planes and noticed things left behind, including phones, laptops and even a passport in an open overhead bin. - Stay vigilant at all times
Passengers should also stay vigilant when boarding and disembarking the plane, as these crowded moments are opportunities for theft to go unnoticed. Remaining aware of your surroundings and keeping your belongings close can significantly reduce the risk of theft during your journey. - If you suspect someone has stolen things, what should you do?
If you suspect that there is a thief on your flight, avoid confronting them directly. This could actually backfire by escalating tensions or posing safety risks. Instead, immediately alert the cabin crew, who are trained to handle such incidents discreetly. The cabin crew can assist in documenting the situation, coordinating with airport authorities, and facilitating investigations upon landing.
Thefts tend to occur when the lights are turned off on red-eye flights. Some airlines are now dimming cabin lights instead of turning them off to reduce opportunities for theft.
