New Delhi, May 17 — A Chinese national believed to be a member of an international in-flight theft syndicate has been arrested at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from passengers during a flight from Hong Kong to Delhi.
Police said the accused, 30-year-old Benlai Pan, was taken into custody upon his arrival on Air India flight AI-315 on May 14, following multiple theft complaints from passengers.
Multiple Complaints Trigger Swift Action
Air India’s security team alerted IGI Airport police about suspicious activities involving four Chinese nationals onboard. A passenger, Prabhat Verma, who was seated in 12C, reported that his credit card had gone missing and pointed out unusual behaviour from another flyer seated at 14C — a seat not listed on his boarding pass.According to Additional Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani, a search revealed the missing card under seat 14C, where Pan was found seated.
Another passenger, Prashi, reported that her mother’s debit card had also disappeared. A third passenger, Nafeez Fatima, provided video evidence showing Pan allegedly opening overhead bins and rifling through cabin baggage during the flight.
Organised Modus Operandi Revealed
During interrogation, Pan confessed that the group strategically booked long-haul international flights to exploit sleeping passengers. They would position themselves across the cabin to avoid drawing attention, discreetly access unattended bags, and dispose of stolen cards after failed attempts to use them.Pan was travelling with three other Chinese nationals — Meng Guangyang (51), Chang Mang (42), and Liu Jie (45) — who were detained and questioned. Their roles are currently under investigation.
Forensic Investigation and Global Coordination Underway
A case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the IGI Airport police station. Authorities have seized mobile phones, wallets, and other items for forensic examination.Police are coordinating with international agencies and embassies to investigate possible links to similar thefts on other global routes. Immigration authorities across India have also been alerted.
While Benlai Pan remains in custody, investigations continue to determine the involvement of his three associates in the suspected international theft racket.