Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases, says Singapore Police Force

Syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport. -- PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY via The Straits Times/ANN

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A spike in cabin theft cases in Asia has been blamed on members of organised crime groups, who catch short-transit flights – including trips to Singapore – to steal small items from passengers.

Hong Kong has been one of the worst hit, with 169 cases of in-flight theft involving HK$4.32 million ($700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 – a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year.