FAQ: Theft on board airlines is more common than you think. Here's how you can avoid becoming a victim

SINGAPORE: Three people were the victims of in-flight theft last weekend after a fellow passenger allegedly stole around S$31,000 (US$23,260) on a Scoot flight from Vietnam to Singapore.

The man was charged on Monday (Dec 18) with theft under the Tokyo Convention Act, which governs offences committed in international airspace on board a Singapore-controlled aircraft. 

On-board theft is an issue that continues to plague airlines worldwide. CNA spoke to travel experts on how passengers can avoid becoming a victim and looks at how Singapore authorities have dealt with such crimes in the past.

Q: How common are thefts on board planes?

In October, Hong Kong police warned of a spike in thefts on inbound airliners after dismantling a crime syndicate that primarily stole credit cards from passengers. 

The authorities handled 13 cases of in-flight theft involving the loss of cash and credit cards in the first nine months of this year, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The newspaper noted there were just two incidents in 2022 and one in 2021.

In September, Taiwan's Aviation Police Bureau arrested a man for allegedly stealing cash from another passenger's carry-on luggage on a flight from Tokyo to Taipei. 

Elsewhere, a man was arrested after being accused of filching over US$10,000 in cash from two passengers during an American Airlines flight from Buenos Aires to Miami, according to a July 2022 report by Business Insider. 

Thefts on board Singapore-controlled aircraft jumped between 2012 to 2013, with then Senior District Judge See Kee Oon also noting the rise in such cases. 

In 2011, only one individual was arrested for theft on board an aircraft. 

However, 36 individuals were arrested in 2012, while 26 individuals were nabbed from January to July 2013. 

Q: How to avoid being a victim of in-flight theft?

In 2015, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued an advisory on airline crime prevention measures passengers can take.

"Keep your cash or valuables with you instead of placing them inside the overhead luggage compartments," it read. "Be wary of passengers who are seen opening up overhead compartments and retrieving baggage and rummaging through them during the flight." 

The police also advised passengers to "alert the cabin crew immediately of such suspicious behaviour". 

Travel experts that CNA spoke to also weighed in on the matter and the precautions they take when flying. 

Recounting how he was once a victim of theft on a China Eastern flight from Shanghai to Singapore, Dr Terence Fan said the issue was not confined to budget airlines like Scoot as thieves can also strike on full-service carriers.

“But budget airlines do offer cheaper tickets - and thus a lower threshold for prospective in-flight thieves,” said the assistant professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the Singapore Management University (SMU). 

To ward off thieves, Dr Fan advised to "always keep a lock on any bags that remotely looks or feels valuable". 

He also shared that he uses combination locks that are approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and that the locks are “interchangeable on checked-in or cabin baggage".

Aaron Wong, founder of travel website The MileLion, told CNA that the “usual common sense precautions apply when travelling by plane”.

“When loading a bag into the overhead compartment, do so with zippers and pockets facing inwards. This means a would-be thief has to adjust your bag to access the zips, making his/her actions more noticeable,” he said.

“Smaller items like wallets will ideally be kept on your person, but if that isn’t comfortable for prolonged periods of sitting, then stored in a bag under your seat, placed at the very bottom so a would-be thief has to empty the entire contents to find it.”

Mr Wong added that he prefers to carry minimal cash on him when flying, instead relying on multi-currency wallets like YouTrip and Revolut to withdraw cash at automated teller machines (ATMs) overseas. 

"Those who are especially cautious may want to wrap their carry-on bag in saran wrap at one of the airport wrapping stations," he said. "It makes snatch-and-grab tactics significantly harder because of the need to get through the layers."

Both experts also recommended that passengers stow their carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment across their seat rather than one directly above, as doing so allows for a direct line of sight.

"It's easier to see who's trying to get their hands on your bags," said Dr Fan. 

Q: What have the authorities previously done about in-flight thefts?

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) warned in 2012 that members of a Chinese crime syndicate were believed to be stealing money from the bags of passengers while they slept on flights to and from the country. 

Singapore Airlines (SIA) then declined to reveal the number of thefts to AFP on its flights but said cabin crew had been advised to remain vigilant.

In September 2013, two men were handed 16-month jail terms - the stiffest sentences at that time - for a series of in-flight thefts on board. The pair were among a group of eight who were jailed on the same day in five separate cases of theft on board SilkAir and Tiger Airways flights.

If convicted of theft in a Singapore court, offenders can face up to three years' jail, a fine, or both per charge.

Q: Does travel insurance cover items that are stolen while flying?

Travel insurance typically covers loss of money due to theft, according to the General Insurance Association of Singapore's website.

Checks on travel insurance policy coverage by CNA found that while that is generally the case, the payout to policyholders is often only in the three-figure range.

The Premier tier of AIA’s Around The World Plus (II) plan offers a maximum payout of S$300 for stolen cash, extending to S$1,000 for stolen jewellery.

NTUC Income’s TravelBliss Prestige tier equivalent has a maximum payout of S$500, with up to S$1,000 insured for stolen jewellery.

Singlife’s Lite plan does not cover the loss of personal money, while its Prestige plan has a maximum payout of S$500 if cash goes missing.

Travellers should also note that when bringing physical currencies in and out of Singapore totalling above S$20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), it is required by law to submit a full and accurate report to the police.

Those who fail to do so may face a fine of up to S$50,000 or a jail term for up to three years or both. The amount of cash can also be seized and/or confiscated upon conviction.