More thieves targeting commercial flights

Commercial airlines are becoming a hot spot for jet-setting thieves who orchestrate mid-air heists on unsuspecting passengers.

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PETALING JAYA -

Two weeks ago, two Chinese nationals were fined a total of RM5,700 (S$1,730) by the Balik Pulau Magistrates' Court for stealing over RM5,500 from two Malaysians during a flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

This incident is the latest in a series of thefts that have occurred onboard commercial airlines recently.

On Oct 26, The Star reported the arrest of a 49-year-old man from mainland China on suspicion of stealing more than HK$4,300 (S$746) from two passengers during a flight from Malaysia to Hong Kong.

Recently, during a flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, a male suspect was caught red-handed, stealing RM3,000 in cash belonging to another passenger.

Apprehended onboard, the perpetrator was handed over to the authorities upon landing.

Many of these thefts go unreported, as most victims do not realize they have been robbed until long after they have disembarked the aircraft.

On Dec 4, 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 totaling about HK$4.32 million.