A recent incident onboard a Singapore Airlines flight has led to the arrest and charging of a 30-year-old Indonesian man for theft and cheating after he allegedly stole a passenger’s wallet and used her debit card at Changi Airport.
Details of the Incident
The accused, Dimas Setiawan Joko, reportedly stole the wallet from a fellow passenger on flight SQ242 from Sydney to Singapore on 15 March 2024, around 8.10pm. The victim kept her wallet containing US$122 (S$163), 427,000 Indonesian rupiah (S$34), and a debit card in her handbag stored in the overhead compartment.
After the flight, Joko used the victim’s debit card to make two purchases in the early hours of 16 March. He bought:
- A S$2 bottle of water at a food outlet in the departure transit area.
- Approximately S$90 worth of chocolates, including the iconic “Merlion” chocolates from Cocoa Tree.
Swift Police Response
The victim promptly received notifications of these unauthorised transactions through her banking app, prompting her to alert the police at around 4.55am. Thanks to timely notifications and CCTV footage from the airport, the Airport Police Division managed to identify and arrest Joko within an hour.
Court Proceedings
Joko appeared in court on 27 March 2024 and expressed his intention to plead guilty without legal representation. His next court date is set for 10 April 2024, where further proceedings will take place.
Similar Incidents
This case highlights a troubling trend, as there has been a noticeable increase in such theft incidents on flights. Only a day prior, another individual was charged for stealing a credit card and cash from a passenger’s bag due to similar circumstances.
Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi commented on the situation, stating, “It was fortunate that the passenger had enabled notifications on her banking app, allowing her to quickly report the unauthorised transactions of her debit card.” This incident serves as a reminder for all travellers to remain vigilant and monitor their belongings closely while travelling.