Chinese National Arrested For Mid-Air Theft On Hong Kong-To-Delhi Flight
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According to the police, the accused was part of a suspected international gang that targeted sleeping passengers during international transit flights.
A 30-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for mid-air theft on a Hong Kong to Delhi Air India flight. The man identified as Benlai Pan was caught after the security and vigilance team of the airline raised concerns about suspicious activities.
The incident came to light after the Security and Vigilance team of Air India, Terminal-3, IGI Airport, alerted Delhi Police regarding suspicious activity on Air India Flight AI-315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi.
The alert was issued after four Chinese nationals were detained based on the complaints by the passengers, according to an official statement by IGI Airport Police.
A passenger, Prabhat Verma, reported that the cabin crew had warned him of suspicious movements around his overhead baggage. After checking his bag, he found that his Bank of America Credit Card was missing.
He further observed a suspicious individual seated at Seat No. 14C, later identified as Benlai Pan, who was not assigned that seat but was originally ticketed for Seat No. 23C. The missing card was found under Seat No. 14C, according to the police.
Prashi, who was seated at 14A, also reported that her mother's HDFC Debit Card had gone missing from her handbag.
Another passenger, Nafeez Fatima, stepped forward with a video recording that allegedly showed Benlai Pan opening cabin baggage and inspecting other passengers' personal items.
The airline staff initiated further checks, and the authorities were alerted upon landing.
The accused was identified as Benlai Pan. He was accompanied by three other Chinese nationals, including Meng Guangyang, 51, Chang Mang, 42, and Liu Jie, 45.
The police immediately detained all four suspects.
While Benlai has been arrested, his other three associates are under detailed inquiry to ascertain their exact role and involvement.
The accused was part of a suspected international gang that targeted sleeping passengers during international transit flights, stealing high-value items, cash, and debit/credit cards, according to the official statement by police.
The police are examining their travel data over the past 12 months.
An FIR has also been filed against Benlai under sections 378/2025, 303(2) of the BNS at PS IGI Airport. A further investigation into the matter is underway.
First Published:
May 17, 2025, 14:23 IST
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