Robbed at 39,000 feet: A cautionary tale for international travelers

Take care of your belongings, even in business class. INQUIRER STOCK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks ago, what began as a routine working trip through Bahrain and Istanbul turned into an alarming experience I never imagined I’d personally encounter—something I had only read about in headlines.

On a past-midnight flight from Manama to Istanbul, seated in 2D on a little over 4-hour journey, I naturally fell asleep after a long, exhausting day. About 2.5 hours into the flight, I woke up and went to the restroom. That’s when a flight attendant, in a quiet and concerned tone, advised me to check my hand-carry bag as there had been suspicious activity.

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Alarmed, I immediately returned to my seat and opened my bag. My passport and credit cards were intact. But my travel pouch, where I kept multiple currencies, had its zipper wide open—and it was completely empty. The attendant told me that a passenger in seat 3D, directly behind me, had been seen by two fellow passengers opening the overhead bin where my bag was stored.

To avoid alerting the suspect, the flight crew asked me to stay calm as they informed the captain. They assured me that airport police and personnel would board upon landing to investigate.

Cover-up at 39,000 feet

Upon landing, the crew instructed passengers in the business class section, including the suspect, to disembark first. The police immediately began questioning the man in 3D, a Chinese national. Despite being identified by two witnesses as the person who opened the bin, he firmly denied any involvement. He insisted there was no evidence, noting that:

• There was no CCTV on board.
• I was asleep during the theft.
• The witnesses who saw him did not file a complaint, as they were rushing to catch a connecting flight and didn’t want to be inconvenienced.

It became clear that the suspect knew authorities were waiting outside. In what now appears to be a coordinated attempt to avoid being caught in possession of the money, the suspect and his accomplices discreetly threw the stolen cash into different overhead bins across the business and economy sections.

A flight attendant discovered wads of U.S. dollar bills in the bin directly above seat 3D. Another attendant in the economy class section found additional cash in various currencies—Singapore Dollars, Thai Baht, Vietnamese Dong, Georgian Lari, and Azerbaijani Manat—stuffed into other bins.

When I reviewed the currencies, I confirmed that I had carried U.S., Singaporean, Thai, and Vietnamese money during my recent travels. However, Georgian and Azerbaijani bills were not mine, leading me to believe that the suspect had also stolen from other passengers on board. The amount recovered was incomplete.

Modus operandi of in-flight theft syndicates

According to airport personnel and Istanbul police, this was not an isolated incident. They revealed a disturbing trend and shared the modus operandi of what appears to be a growing network of in-flight thieves:

• They strike on long-haul night flights (4+ hours) when cabin lights are dim and passengers are asleep.
• They do not limit themselves to economy or business class—any unattended bag in an overhead bin is fair game.
• They quietly unzip hand-carry bags in the bins and empty them.
• To delay discovery, they often leave a small bill—usually $1—inside the pouch, giving the illusion it’s still full when lifted.
• The stolen cash is scattered and hidden in bins across multiple cabin sections.
• Suspects are coordinated; one does the stealing while others help conceal the money.
• These operations are international in scale, often involving rented or converted homes as staging grounds for 6 to 8 operatives.
• Police investigators mentioned that several suspects in previous cases originated from Hainan province, China, which has gained notoriety for these crimes.

The aftermath and accountability

Despite the denials and lack of full recovery, I filed a formal complaint at the Istanbul police district. The investigators were experienced and thorough. After reviewing statements and evidence—including the witnesses’ verbal identifications and the recovered cash—the suspect was flagged for deportation.

Though I did not recover the full amount, I felt a strong moral obligation to pursue the case. I refused to let this become just another statistic. It was not just about the money anymore—it was about accountability, for me and for the countless other victims of these syndicates.

What every passenger must do

As the world grows increasingly unpredictable, air travelers need to take extra precautions. Here are key takeaways to protect yourself:

1. Keep valuables on your person Use a neck pouch or hidden waist wallet. Never place cash or passports in overhead compartments.

2. Avoid sleeping with valuables out of reach Secure bags in ways that make tampering obvious—wrap straps around legs or use locks if necessary.

3. Check bags during bathroom breaks Do periodic inspections of your belongings throughout the flight.

4. Don’t rely on cabin security There are no CCTV cameras in aircraft cabins. Your alertness is your best defense.

5. Watch your surroundings Be mindful of passengers loitering near bins, especially away from their assigned seats.

6. Speak up If you see suspicious behavior, report it discreetly to the cabin crew immediately.

Final word

What happened to me can happen to anyone. These thieves are organized, emboldened, and increasingly daring. They operate above the clouds but must be brought back down to face justice.

By sharing this story, I hope to raise awareness and empower fellow travelers to protect themselves. The skies may be friendly—but not everyone flying with you is.  (The author is Senior Advisor of Wong + Bernstein Advisory Group)