How to protect yourself from high-profile criminals who target airline passengers

The Post explains how aircraft thieves operate and how you can protect yourself from them.

1. How common are thefts on flights?

Police said in October they had noticed an increase in crimes on domestic flights since borders reopened early last year due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

A total of 13 cases of in-flight theft were reported in the first nine months of 2023, compared to just two incidents in 2022, one in 2021 and five in 2020.

The revelation comes after police made a number of arrests and dismantled a crime syndicate that was targeting the credit cards of passengers on flights bound for the city, suggesting that some thefts on board aircraft have become organised operations.

Aside from the theft that occurred on the HK Express flight over the weekend, a 37-year-old man from mainland China contacted police after discovering that his credit card had allegedly been stolen on another flight from Vietnam to the city.

The man only realised his card was missing when his bank informed him of an unknown transaction of HK$36,330 made using the card he kept in his backpack during a VietJet Air flight 966 on Sunday. This was the second suspected in-flight theft on flights out of Vietnam within a day.

2. How do thieves commit their crimes?

According to police, thieves often target bags stored in overhead bins and rummage through other passengers’ luggage while they rest during the flight.

They usually target valuables such as cash and credit cards, and the victims usually only notice that these items are missing once the passengers have already disembarked.

The thieves used the cards to make purchases at a triad-linked liquor store in Tsim Sha Tsui and attempted to launder the money.

The transactions ranged between HK$12,000 and HK$58,000, and the thieves hired to steal the cards received a commission of several thousand Hong Kong dollars.

3. What can you do to keep your belongings safe?

In response to inquiries from the Post, HK Express said passengers should lock their hand luggage and “properly protect their valuables on board”.

When leaving their seat, passengers should take their valuables with them or leave them with a trusted travel companion.

4. What should you do if you become a victim?

“If passengers notice suspicious people or behavior on board, or discover that items have been stolen, they should immediately report this to cabin crew so that assistance can be provided or the incident can be reported to the authorities,” the spokesperson added.

The airline said that, in accordance with standard procedures, the aircraft’s cabin crew requested police assistance immediately upon arrival in Hong Kong after a passenger reported missing items on Saturday.

Most travel insurance policies cover stolen items because such theft is considered an unforeseen circumstance.

According to insurer Allianz, the company’s policies state that it will pay compensation to a customer if luggage and personal belongings are stolen, accidentally damaged or permanently lost during a trip.

According to Axa’s website, when preparing an insurance claim, travelers should provide documents such as loss or damage reports from the relevant authorities, including their airline, hotel or police.