KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 267 thefts aboard aeroplanes have been reported to KLIA authorities since 2022, resulting in the arrests of 30 foreigners.
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the number of cases has been increasing each year.
In 2022, police recorded 33 cases, and this number increased to 88 last year.
For the first 10 months of this year, 146 cases were reported.
Hussein said those behind the thefts usually operated alone or in small groups of up to four people aboard flights within Malaysia and the region.
"The suspects are passengers themselves, stealing other passengers' valuables from their carry-on luggage," he said, adding that this included credit cards, jewellery, cash, and wallets.
"Typically, the suspects would wait for other passengers to fall asleep or for the lights to be dimmed on long-haul flights."
Hussein said that even though over 200 police reports were lodged, only 26 investigation papers were opened, as many victims could not confirm when their valuables went missing.
"Some investigations also could not be conducted as no arrests were made or because the victims carried on with their journey to another country or returned home."
He said some victims were careless with their belongings and ended up losing the items.
Hussein said those who were arrested were detained by cabin crew after being caught in the act during a flight.
These suspects were then handed over to the police at KLIA.
He said passengers should take precautions when flying, including locking their bags or placing their bags in front of them.
"Passengers should immediately inform the cabin crew if any of their valuables go missing or if they see something suspicious," he added.