SINGAPORE — On June 2, 2025, Singapore police arrested two Indian women, aged 29 and 30, for stealing items valued at SGD 635 (USD 494) from Terminal 3’s departure transit area at Changi Airport (SIN).
Using CCTV footage, authorities identified the suspects within an hour of the thefts. Police recovered a purse from the younger woman and a black backpack and perfume bottle from the older woman’s luggage.
Both were detained and scheduled for a court appearance on June 10, facing potential penalties of up to seven years imprisonment, fines, or both.
Singapore authorities reaffirmed their commitment to combating retail theft, pledging ongoing collaboration with airport stakeholders and the community to deter such crimes.
This incident adds to a series of security challenges at Changi Airport. In March 2023, an Australian woman was fined SGD 750 after stealing Chanel perfume, and in May 2025, a British man was arrested for stealing merchandise valued over SGD 2,900.
In a separate high-profile case from May 2024, Delhi police arrested Rajesh Kapoor, 40, a jewel thief responsible for a complex theft operation targeting passengers across approximately 200 flights in one year. Kapoor stole jewellery and cash from carry-on bags, amassing millions in stolen goods while using his deceased brother’s identity and forged documents.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Usha Rangnani revealed Kapoor primarily targeted elderly women during connecting flights, committing thefts inside aircraft cabins and at security checkpoints. His criminal career began in 2005, initially targeting trains before shifting to aviation.
Kapoor’s associate, jeweller Sharad Jain from Karol Bagh, aided in processing stolen goods, establishing an extensive criminal network.
After multiple passenger complaints and reviewing CCTV footage from over 100 cameras, authorities identified Kapoor despite his use of untraceable fake numbers. Police recovered significant stolen jewellery and linked Kapoor to 11 additional thefts.
DCP Rangnani confirmed Kapoor’s arrest ended a prolonged spate of aircraft thefts, dismantling the criminal network.
These cases underscore vulnerabilities in aviation security and highlight the need for enhanced passenger baggage monitoring and stronger identity verification to prevent exploitation by criminal enterprises.
