Organised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force
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SINGAPORE - 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 caseOrganised crime groups behind in-flight theft cases: Singapore Police Force
SINGAPORE - 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 (S$700,000) in valuables recorded in the first 10 months of 2024 - a 75 per cent increase from the same period the previous year.In an interview with The Straits Times, Assistant Commissioner M Malathi, who is commander of the Airport Police Division (APD), said that in-flight theft cases are difficult to detect and investigate.She said syndicate members, who work in pairs to steal from unsuspecting passengers, often catch a flight out of Singapore soon after landing at Changi Airport.«They will only take some cash and maybe one or two cards. They won't take your whole wallet, because if they do, it is easier to notice,» said AC Malathi, who added that the authorities have a short lead time before the suspects leave on an outbound flight.