2 Chinese nationals charged for allegedly stealing bank cards from overhead compartments on flight

Chinese duo allegedly took bank cards from separate bags stored in overhead compartments

Two Chinese men aged 54 and 59 have been charged with theft for allegedly stealing from fellow passengers on their flight to Singapore.

They allegedly took bank cards from two separate bags that were stored in the overhead luggage compartments, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Tuesday (13 Oct).

Chinese allegedly stole cards from overhead compartments without victims finding out

According to police investigations, the two men had travelled on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore earlier this week.

Each man allegedly stole bank cards from a different passenger’s bag that was stored in the overhead compartment.

They then got off the plane without their alleged victims realising that their cards were missing.

Chinese found with cards that didn’t belong to them

The men were busted when officers from the Airport Police Division conducted an operation at Changi Airport Terminal 4 at about 9.45am on Monday (12 Oct).

It targeted theft cases on board aircraft, SPF said.

During the operation, the two men were found in possession of three bank cards that did not belong to them.

They were subsequently arrested.

Chinese men charged with theft onboard aircraft

On Wednesday (14 Oct), the duo were charged in court with the offence of theft onboard an aircraft, under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871 read with Section 3(2) of the Tokyo Convention Act 1971.

They were identified by The Straits Times (ST) as Shu Zaijun, 54, and Dong Bangjun, 59.

If convicted, they each face up to three years in prison and/or a fine.

Passengers should not keep valuables in overhead compartments: SPF

SPF said it had “zero tolerance” for theft onboard an aircraft, pledging to “spare no effort” to apprehend offenders and “bring them to justice”.

It also reminded passengers to protect themselves from such crimes by keeping their cash or valuables on themselves at all times, instead of putting them in the overhead compartments.

They should keep a lookout for passengers opening these compartments during the flight and retrieving or rummaging through baggage.

If such suspicious behaviour is observed, the cabin crew should be alerted immediately, SPF added.

Also read: Man steals bank cards from bag in overhead compartment on Korea-S’pore flight, arrested at Changi Airport

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Featured image adapted from Worawee Meepian on Canva. Photo for illustration purposes only.