WHAT A CARRY ON Thieves are targeting passengers onboard flights
An Emirates passenger who allegedly had HK $2 million ($328,000) worth of cash and valuables stolen from an overhead bin may be the victim of the biggest ever theft on a flight.
Mustasa Saci landed in Hong Kong on Sunday when he discovered that the carry-on bag, which contained US$200,000 in cash as well as a Rolex and a Patek Philippe watch, was missing. The flight had originated in Dubai, and Saci, a watch merchant from Turkey who was travelling in economy, informed the airline staff and the police were called in. Police are reported to be treating the case as theft and an investigation is ongoing. The incident follows a warning by Hong Kong police in January, urging passengers to protect their belongings on board after holidaymakers were targeted on flights to the city.
Within the space of nine months thieves reportedly stole around $507,400 worth of items, including expensive electronics and bags, from travellers. Local media reported that criminals are posing as passengers on long haul flights, some even travelling in business class, to find their targets. In December, passenger Warren Becker said his bag was robbed of contents while he was asleep on a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg.
Becker claimed that belongings and cash valued at more than $3,700 were stolen, although the thieves didn’t bother to take his South African rands or digital camera.
