New Delhi:
Police on Saturday arrested a member of an organized global in-flight theft syndicate to be a member of an organized global in-flight theft syndicate during a flight from Hong Kong to New Delhi.
The accused, 30-year-old Benlai PAN, was arrested on 14 May when he came to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, who said in an official statement after complaints from several passengers in Air India flight AI-315.
Officials said PAN was traveling with three other Chinese citizens-51-year-old Meng Guangyang, 42-year-old Chang Mang, 45-year-old and Liu ji-Jin were all detained and questioned, the officials said.
According to officials, the group is suspected of working together as part of an international in-flight theft racket.
Police Commissioner (IGI) USHA Ranganani said in an official statement, “Air India’s security team alerted the police of IGI Airport about suspicious activities involved in four Chinese citizens in the flight. Prabha Verma, one of the passengers,, Prabha Verma, who seated in 12C, said that a credit card was lost from her bag.”
The statement said, “Verma also explained suspicious behavior by a passenger sitting in 14C, which was given a ticket for seat 23C.”
The missing credit card was later recovered from the bottom of the seat 14C, where the pan was seated, he said.
Another passenger, Prashi, said that his mother’s debit card was also missing. A third passenger, Nafiz Fatima, provided a video, showing the PAN a rumor allegedly opening overhead compartments and through cabin accessories during the flight, the official said.
During interrogation, PAN confessed that he booked Long-Hall International Transit flights to target sleeping passengers and use unattainable cabin goods. He said that the group spread themselves into the cabin to avoid doubt and left the stolen card after an attempt to use them.
Police said a case has been registered under the relevant sections of Indian Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the police station of IGI Airport.
The mobile phones, purse and other items of the suspects have been seized for the forensic examination. International coordination is underway to investigate their possible participation in similar incidents globally, he further said.
While Benlai PAN has been arrested, the roles of his three colleagues are under investigation. Police said immigration officers have been alerted across the country, and contacts have been established with embassies and global law enforcement agencies.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
