In a recent incident aboard a budget flight from Vietnam to Singapore, a 52-year-old Chinese national, identified as Zhang Xiuqiang, has been charged with theft for allegedly stealing over $23,000 in cash from three fellow passengers. The incident took place on a Scoot flight, the budget subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, during a journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on December 16.
According to court charge sheets, Zhang’s alleged thefts involved a passenger’s backpack containing 3 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $123), a black messenger bag holding 510 million Vietnamese dong (about $20,950) and a 50 Singapore dollar note (equivalent to $38), as well as $1,000 and 930 Singapore dollars ($700) from an envelope found in a third passenger’s gray bag.
Upon being alerted by a vigilant passenger, the cabin crew promptly activated the Airport Police Division, resulting in the removal of the involved passengers for further investigation. The disembarkation for the remaining passengers proceeded without interruption.
Cabin theft, considered a federal crime in many jurisdictions, is unfortunately more common than perceived by most travelers. In October, Hong Kong police issued a warning about an uptick in thefts on inbound airplanes, uncovering a syndicate specializing in stealing credit cards from passengers. In 2019, Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong initiated a crackdown on petty theft of in-flight supplies by its cabin crew.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in Taiwan in September, where a man was arrested for allegedly stealing cash from another passenger’s carry-on luggage during a flight from Tokyo to Taipei.
Zhang, now remanded for police investigations, could face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both per theft charge if convicted. Scoot, while unable to provide detailed information about the case, has issued a warning to both crew and passengers to remain vigilant, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding valuables during travel. The airline assured that its operating crew is trained to identify and report any suspicious behavior on board.