According to CNN, a 52-year-old Chinese national named Zhang Xiuqiang is accused of stealing a total of $23,000 in cash from three passengers while aboard a Singapore Airlines flight.
During the flight from Vietnam to Singapore, Xiuqiang allegedly took 3 million Vietnamese dong ($123) from one passenger’s backpack, 510 million Vietnamese dong ($20,950), and a 50 Singapore dollar note ($38) from another passenger’s black messenger bag.
Additionally, he reportedly took $1,000 and 930 Singapore dollars ($700) from an envelope found in a third passenger’s gray bag. Charge sheets read in court and reported by Singapore’s Channel NewsAsia detailed these allegations.
Zhang is currently held for police investigation. If found guilty of theft, he could face a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both per charge, according to the report.
An airline spokesperson told CNN that it “was aware of an incident” that occurred on board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on December 16.
“Our cabin crew was alerted by a passenger to a suspected theft in the cabin and activated the Airport Police Division.
“The involved passengers were escorted off the aircraft by airport authorities for further investigation, and disembarkation proceeded as usual for the rest of our passengers,” the spokesperson said.
Scoot, the airline operator of the budget wing of Singapore Airlines, said it was unable to provide further details about the case but warned crew and passengers to remain vigilant on board.
The statement read, “Our operating crew is trained to alert authorities of any suspicious behaviour on board our flights.
“We also advise our customers to safeguard their valuables at all times.”
