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

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 realise 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 totalling about HK$4.32 million.

A commercial pilot told The Star that these thefts happened quite frequently and were often orchestrated by syndicates.

He said: “These thefts normally occur on Vietnam, Bangkok and China routes, both inbound and outbound.

“The spate or frequency of these thefts also increases during busy travel periods such as the holiday or festive seasons.”

According to the pilot, the thieves would operate as a team of several individuals, depending on the flight and size of the aircraft.

He said catching them in the act can be difficult, as they would have a game plan.

“First, they would be travelling as separate individuals,” he said.

“They would also scout potential victims at the boarding gate prior to the flight.”

The crime would normally be perpetrated when the plane was at cruising altitude and once the cabin lights were dimmed for sleeping.

One of the individuals would attempt to retrieve their bag from the overhead compartment and in the process rummage through the belongings of the targeted victim.

Upon making off with the valuables, the person would pass the stolen items to their accomplice at drop-off points such as the aircraft lavatory.

“Because of this, it is difficult to apprehend these criminals,” said the pilot.

“If caught red-handed, they would simply admit that they had mistakenly taken the wrong bag and apologise. If they suspected that the crew had found out that a theft had taken place, they would toss the item away, making it look like the victim had misplaced it.

“In the event that a theft had been confirmed and the suspects were apprehended, the pilot would transmit a message through ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) to the ground station for a security team to investigate and apprehend the suspects.”

For those who have fallen victim to these thefts, the airlines are not considered responsible for the missing valuables or personal belongings.

Those who had travel insurance would also have to provide a police report and a detailed account from the airline to prove and corroborate that the items were indeed stolen during the flight, said an insurance expert.

“Insurers will require solid proof to accept a claim, failing which it will be construed that the loss of the items is due to negligence,” he added.

“If the claim is accepted, the settlement or quantum for the lost items will be based on the policy and coverage.”

Some airlines have already begun taking steps to limit the incidence of in-flight thefts.

This includes making frequent announcements to remind passengers to be mindful of their personal belongings and not to change seats during the flight.

On some flights, cabin lights will be dimmed instead of being turned off to reduce opportunities for theft.

If there are suspected individuals identified by the security team on the ground, a memo will be issued to the crew.

The ground staff will also be instructed to assign these individuals to window seats instead of the aisle seat to restrict their movement.

If there are suspicions that these criminals are on board, the cabin crew will also be instructed to be alert and step up patrols during the flight.

The Daily Star/ANN