Explained: In-Flight Theft, How To Prevent It From Happening, And What To Do If Things Go Missing

Police said on Saturday, May 17, that a Chinese national was recently arrested for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from fellow passengers during a flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi. According to an official statement, the accused, 30-year-old Benlai Pan, was arrested on arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on May 14 following complaints from multiple passengers aboard Air India flight AI-315.

Pan was travelling with three other Chinese nationals—51-year-old Meng Guangyang, 42-year-old Chang Mang and 45-year-old Liu Jie—all of whom were detained and questioned, officials said. The group is suspected to be operating together as part of an international in-flight theft racket.

Additional Commissioner of Police Usha Rangnani said in an official statement, “Air India's security team alerted the IGI Airport police about suspicious activities involving four Chinese nationals on the flight. One of the passengers, Prabhat Verma, who was seated at 12C, reported that a credit card had gone missing from his bag. Verma also pointed out suspicious behaviour by a passenger seated at 14C, who was ticketed for seat 23C.” The missing credit card was later recovered from beneath seat 14C, where Pan was found seated, she said.

Another passenger, Prashi, reported that her mother's debit card had also gone missing. The officer said a third passenger, Nafeez Fatima, provided a video showing Pan allegedly opening overhead bins and rummaging through cabin baggage during the flight.

Upon interrogation, Pan confessed that they booked long-haul international transit flights to target sleeping passengers and access unattended cabin luggage. The group spread themselves across the cabin to avoid suspicion and discarded stolen cards after attempting to use them, Rangnani added.

Police said a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the IGI Airport police station.

So, how common is in-flight theft and what can you to do to protect yourself?

How Common Is In-Flight Theft?

While regular statistics on in-flight theft are difficult to come by, some reports note its prevalence.

The Hong Kong Security Bureau reported 169 in-flight theft cases in the first 10 months of 2024, most of which were on short-haul flights arriving in the city from Southeast Asia. That compares to 92 cases in 2023, and 147 cases in 2019.

Of the 169 theft cases, 70 per cent were on short-haul flights from Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Thailand, India and Vietnam, while about 20 per cent were on inbound flights from Dubai, Türkiye and Doha. These routes are particularly susceptible due to the large volume of passengers and the relatively shorter flight durations, which give thieves less time to be caught.

The stolen property consisted mostly of cash, expensive jewellery, watches and credit cards, with a combined value of about HKD 4.32 million (approximately INR 47 million), according to official statements.

The modus operandi of these “sky-high thieves” is both sophisticated and opportunistic. They typically work in teams, scouting their targets from the moment passengers board the flight. Using the cover of darkness in overnight or long-haul flights, they strike while passengers are asleep.

Valuables stored in overhead bins are their primary targets, as they are easy to access without drawing suspicion. Some thieves even impersonate other passengers, pretending to retrieve items from overhead compartments while actually stealing valuables. Once the items are in their possession, they hide them in other compartments or stash them in their carry-on bags.

In some instances, pickpocketing occurs directly in seat pockets or even from passengers’ jackets and handbags. Many victims only realise they’ve been robbed after landing, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators or recover stolen items.

What Can I Do To Protect Myself From In-Flight Theft?

While you can never 100 per cent protect yourself from in-flight theft, there are many things you can do to keep your valuables safe:

• Pack Valuables In A Carry-On: It is a worthy reminder that it is generally safer to pack valuable and important items in your carry-on hand luggage and not place them in hold baggage. Keeping items with you means you can monitor them at the airport and throughout the flight.

  There are obvious restrictions to be aware of when packing hand luggage. Be aware of airline restrictions on the size and weight of hand luggage.

• Get A Lock: Consider using a locking mechanism on your bags. Many cabin bags and backpacks can be locked, either with an included locking system or by using a padlock. A small padlock may not be the most secure item, but it will discourage a lot of opportunistic theft.

• Store Bags Safely: Placing your bag upside down in the overhead bin makes it harder to access the outer pockets. Also, place your bag under the seat in front of you. From there, you can see if it’s touched or moved. You can keep a foot on the bag to ensure it doesn’t get moved when you’re not looking.

• Mark Your Bag: Mark your bag in some way to help with identification. This is more important and common with checked bags, but it can also be a good idea for carry-on bags. Many bags look the same, which will help you keep an eye on them and prevent any accidental pick-ups from others.

• Stay Aware Of Your Bag's Location: Keep bags with you at all times at the airport and do not assume that venues like cafés or airport lounges are safe. Be especially careful when leaving things on view, such as passports on the table or electronics being charged. Prepare well for security and watch your items as you go through. Consider having zipped or sealable pockets on clothing to protect items such as passports and wallets. Buy an AirTag or another tracking device and place it in your baggage to keep track of it.

• Get Travel Insurance: Travel insurance offers protection in the event of major problems such as illness, airline failure or flight problems. Coverage for baggage, personal items and valuables is more complicated and tends to vary a great deal between insurers and policies. If you travel with valuable items, check the policy you have.

• Dress Down: Make sure you’re dressed down for your flight as you don’t want to flaunt the fact that you have money and valuables. It makes you a target for thieves who will choose their marks based on the clothing they wear.

What Do I Do If I Notice Something Is Missing?

While it’s natural to relax during a flight, remain observant of your surroundings, especially when others are accessing the overhead compartments. If you notice any unusual activity, inform the flight attendants immediately. Prompt reporting can prevent theft and protect fellow passengers.

Report any theft to the cabin crew immediately and document the incident upon landing. Notify the airline and airport security; if insured, file a claim with supporting documents.

(With inputs from multiple reports)