A gang of Chinese thieves is accused of robbery on board of Singapore Airlines aircraft on regional routes…
SINGAPORE- According to an information of the AFP News Agency, information taken back by the English local daily the Strait Times, Singapore police warned last week travellers on Singapore airlines that members of a crime syndicate originated from China were believed to be stealing money but also electronic equipments from the bags of passengers while they slept on flights to and from Singapore. The thieves operate mostly on regional flights. Singapore police recorded already 18 complaints from passengers in a few months, up from only one complaint in 2011. The thieves are working in groups of three to four and operate in the overhead compartment when passengers are sleeping or using the toilets, the paper said.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Tee, Commander of the Airport Police Division, said: “Airport Police have been working closely with airlines for greater vigilance and this has led to arrests being made.” An SIA spokesman told The Straits Times that it will help customers who want to report cases of theft. According to the police, 15 people have already been arrested this year including four Chinese nationals caught on Singapore Airlines flights. Travel agents and insurers have advised passengers to be vigilant.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
