In the first eight months of the year, Hong Kong recorded 132 thefts on board inbound flights, a 162 per cent rise compared with the 50 cases reported over the same period last year. - Photo: Elson Li/SCMP
HONG KONG: Police have arrested a 49-year-old man from mainland China on suspicion of stealing more than HK$4,300 (RM2430) from two passengers during a flight from Malaysia to Hong Kong, as the city grapples with a rise in such thefts.
The force said on Friday (Oct 24) it received a report the day before that HK$3,500 (US$450) and S$150 (US$110) was taken from luggage belonging to two passengers.
After a preliminary investigation, officers arrested the man, who was carrying a mainland passport, for suspected theft.
He was being detained and the case is being handled by the airport police station as investigations continue into the incident.
“Police urge passengers to remain vigilant at all times in the cabin, lock and keep their carry-on luggage properly, and be especially careful when leaving their seats,” the force said.
“They must carry their cash and valuables with them or leave them with relatives and friends travelling with them for safekeeping.”
On Friday, enforcement authorities at Hong Kong International Airport responded to reports of theft aboard a flight from Kuala Lumpur. Two passengers discovered that cash had gone missing from their bags, which were stored in the overhead compartments.
Upon arrival at the scene, police conducted a preliminary investigation and arrested the 49-year-old male from Mainland China on suspicion of theft. Initial inquiries suggest that the suspect may have stolen approximately HK$3,500 and S$150 (around HK$882) from the victims.
Meanwhile, official reports showed that the number of thefts on flights to Hong Kong surged by 164 per cent in the first eight months of the year.
A Swiss visitor even lost a HK$4.16 million (RM2.2 million) watch in the largest reported case, according to a report by South China Morning Post.
“The male passenger placed his backpack, containing one luxury watch worth about HK$4.16 million, inside the overhead compartment above his seat,” a police spokesman said.
The victim realised the watch had been stolen shortly after disembarking in Hong Kong.
Police recorded 132 thefts between January and August, surpassing the total number of cases reported for all of last year, while only 50 thefts were reported during the same period in 2023.
Police received 92 theft reports last year, a significant increase compared to just three cases in 2022 and none in 2021, when the Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted global travel.
The figures do not include outbound flights.
Stolen items on these flights included cash, luxury handbags, watches, jewellery and credit cards, though the total value remains unclear.
Most of the thefts occurred in economy class, often when cabin lights were dimmed, and passengers were asleep.
“Thieves usually search for and take valuable property such as cash, digital devices and luxury watches from unsecured baggage left unattended on passengers’ seats or placed inside the overhead compartments,” the police spokesman added.
Three arrests were made in connection with cases reported this year, compared to one arrest during the same period in 2023.
In one case, a 57-year-old mainland Chinese man was arrested on August 25 aboard a flight operated by Cathay Pacific Airways’ budget carrier, HK Express.
He was accused of stealing a Rolex watch worth HK$330,000 and thousands of Hong Kong dollars in cash from a fellow passenger.
A source explained that thieves often worked in pairs to take advantage of dimmed cabin conditions and unsuspecting passengers.
The majority of thefts between 2021 and 2024 occurred in economy class, with no details provided regarding incidents in business or first class.
Police said witness testimony was crucial in prosecuting suspects.
“We find it challenging when passengers hesitate to come forward to testify against thieves, mostly due to their tight travel schedule,” the police spokesman said.
Police had no evidence to suggest these crimes were coordinated by syndicates.
They urged passengers to remain vigilant, keep an eye on their belongings, and promptly report any missing items to flight attendants before disembarking.
