Chinese National Arrested for In-Flight Credit Card Theft
A Chinese national was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on May 14, 2025, for allegedly stealing credit and debit cards from fellow passengers aboard Air India flight AI-315 from Hong Kong to New Delhi. The suspect, along with three other Chinese nationals, is believed to be part of a transnational theft syndicate operating on long-haul international flights.
In-Flight Theft Incident
The primary suspect, identified as 30-year-old Benlai Pan, was caught following complaints from multiple passengers. Prabhat Verma, seated at 12C, raised the first alarm after noticing suspicious activity around his cabin baggage. He later found his Bank of America credit card missing, which was eventually recovered from under seat 14C — where Pan was seated, though his ticket was for seat 23C.
Another passenger, Prashi, reported that her mother’s HDFC debit card had also gone missing. Nafeez Fatima, another co-traveller, provided crucial video footage allegedly showing Pan rummaging through overhead baggage compartments. The visual evidence supported the passengers’ complaints and prompted immediate action upon landing.
Arrest and Investigation
Air India’s security team informed IGI Airport police, who arrested Benlai Pan immediately after the flight touched down. His companions — Meng Guangyang (51), Chang Mang (42), and Liu Jie (45) — were taken into custody for questioning. During interrogation, Pan confessed to being part of an organized group that targets passengers on international routes, especially during night flights when passengers are asleep or distracted.
According to police, the group’s modus operandi involved purchasing tickets on different seats across the cabin to maximize access to unattended bags and wallets during the flight. This strategy helped them steal without drawing attention to any single individual.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have launched a broader probe to uncover the syndicate’s full reach. All mobile phones, wallets, and electronics in possession of the accused have been seized for forensic analysis. Investigators are also examining the travel records of all four suspects to identify patterns that may link them to other similar thefts across airlines and airports.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at IGI Airport police station. Indian immigration authorities have been placed on high alert, and international agencies and embassies are being consulted to verify the background of the suspects and trace potential global connections.
The incident has raised alarms regarding onboard security, particularly on long-haul international flights, prompting a review of cabin surveillance protocols and coordination between airlines and law enforcement.
