2 foreign men allegedly stole perfume boxes in separate cases at Changi Airport
Two foreign men have been charged in court after allegedly stealing perfume from Changi Airport in two separate cases.
One of them was nabbed when he returned to Singapore almost nine months after the alleged theft, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a news release on Sunday (16 Aug).
Man seen taking 2 boxes of perfume from Changi Airport shop on 19 Nov
The first case happened on 19 Nov 2025 at a retail outlet in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 2.
A retail assistant had noticed that two boxes of perfume worth about S$430 had vanished from a display shelf.
Source: Singapore Police Force
SPF was alerted at about 6.45pm and reviewed the shop’s CCTV footage, which showed a man taking the perfume at 4.50pm.
He then left without making payment.
Man arrested after returning 9 months later in transit
But by the time Airport Police Division (APD) officers identified the 37-year-old Australian man, he had already left Singapore.
However, he returned to Changi Airport in transit on 4 Aug.
He was subsequently arrested by the APD.
Man who took perfume from T1 shop on 5 Aug arrested before boarding flight
In the second case, a retail assistant at a shop in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1 discovered a box of perfume missing from a display shelf.
CCTV footage showed a man taking a box of perfume valued at more than S$310 at about 12.40am on 5 Aug.
He then left without making payment.
Source: Google Maps
SPF was alerted at about 1.25am, and APD officers swiftly located the 50-year-old American man and arrested him before he could board his flight.
Man found to have taken 2 more perfume boxes from Changi Airport
When CCTV footage was reviewed further, it revealed that the American man had allegedly stolen more boxes of perfume from two other stores in the transit area, bringing the value of the items involved to more than S$717.
One box was worth about S$170, while the other, which contained a perfume tester bottle, was valued at more than S$230.
All three items were eventually recovered.
Source: Singapore Police Force
Both men charged with theft in dwelling
On Monday (17 Aug), both men were separately charged in court for theft in dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code 1871.
If convicted, they each face a prison term of up to seven years and/or a fine.
APD Commander M. Malathi said SPF takes “a serious stance” against shop theft cases and will deal “firmly” with offenders “in accordance with the law”.
The cases showed that advancements in CCTV technology and its widespread use by retailers had “significantly enhanced” the detection of such offences, he noted, adding:
Even where offenders initially evade detection, investigations will still lead to their identification and arrest.
He pledged that the APD would remain “committed” to working closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft at Changi Airport, and offenders would be “held accountable” for their actions.
Also read: Australian woman arrested when she returns to S’pore over 1 month after alleged Changi Airport theft
Australian woman arrested when she returns to S’pore over 1 month after alleged Changi Airport theft
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Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force.
