Man steals US$80k from bag on plane, gets caught after remitting money at People's Park Complex

A 54-year-old man was arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of theft onboard an aircraft on March 5, said the police.

A passenger flying from Hong Kong to Singapore discovered after disembarkation at Changi Airport that cash amounting to US$80,000 (S$107,000) was missing from his bag.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had placed his bag in the overhead compartment but did not see a suspicious person rummaging through his bag.

Officers from Airport Police Division followed up swiftly using flight records and worked together with officers from Commercial Affairs Department to establish the identity of the suspect.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had purportedly made four remittance transactions amounting to S$37,897.70, believed to be part of the stolen cash, at the People’s Park Complex. The police promptly halted the transactions.

The man was arrested on the same day of the report and found to have cash of multiple denominations and currencies, amounting to S$79,662.83, in his possession. The cash was seized as case exhibits.

The man will be charged in court on March 7 with the offence of theft under the Penal Code, read with the Tokyo Convention Act. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both.

“Theft on board an aircraft is a serious offence," said Commander of the Airport Police Division, AC M Malathi. "The safety and security of all passengers is a top priority for Airport Police.

"Our swift actions for this case ensured that the perpetrator was apprehended and brought to justice. Airport Police will continue to work closely with our airport stakeholders to ensure aircraft security and safety.”

To protect yourself from being a victim, adopt the following crime prevention measures when flying:

• Keep your cash or valuables with you instead of placing them inside the overhead luggage compartments.
• Be wary of passengers who are seen opening up overhead compartments, retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight.
• Alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour.