Stolen in mid-air: Hong Kong-bound passenger loses HK$2 million in cash and valuables from overhead bin
Turkish businessman reports theft after disembarking and realising money and watches were taken from his stowed bag
A Turkish businessman who flew into Hong Kong yesterday from the Middle East could be the victim of the biggest inflight theft after HK$2 million worth of foreign currency and valuables was stolen from his cabin baggage stowed in an overhead compartment.
The theft was reported amid a spate of cases involving criminals posing as travellers on long-haul flights, with some even flying business class to find their targets, the Post has learned.
Turkish watch merchant Mustasa Saci, 39, arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai early yesterday morning and it was only after he disembarked that he realised the money and valuables in his bag were missing, He sought help from airline staff who called police shortly after 6am.
“Initial investigation showed US$200,000 and two luxury watches – a Rolex and a Patek Philippe – were stolen from his bag and the total value was about HK$2 million,” a source with knowledge of the investigation said. It was understood Saci was seated in economy class and was on a business trip.
The source said it could be the costliest case of inflight theft in recent years as most such crimes in the past involved losses valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, not millions.
Last year, local police and airlines joined forces to combat a soaring number of in-flight thefts.