Singapore police warned on Tuesday that members of a crime syndicate from China were believed to be stealing money from the bags of passengers while they slept on flights to and from the country.
Eighteen reports about in-flight thefts have been filed so far this year, up from only one in 2011, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Tee, head of the airport police division.
'Investigations revealed that some of the thieves are suspected to be syndicate members from China working in groups of three to four individuals per flight,' Assistant Commissioner Tee told AFP.
'They would strike during boarding operations, or in-flight when passengers are asleep or when using the toilets. Their goal is to steal cash which has been kept by passengers inside their travel or laptop bags stowed in the overhead compartments of the aircraft.' Assistant Commissioner Tee said the thefts were confined to some carriers on regional flights.
Citation: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_804483.html
In-flight, when I go to a toilet, I usually bring my bags with me in order not to be stolen. Now that I knew the news, I make it a rule to do so everytime I go to a toilet.
But, it is not impossible to keep my belongings out of reach of theft, especially when we take night flights. While we are sleeping, we can't pay attention to our baggage.
