Three Chinese nationals have been deported from Vietnam after they were caught stealing money from an Indonesian passenger on a flight of Vietnam Airlines on Thursday, said Le Truong Giang, the airlines spokesman. These Chinese passengers colluded with each other in an attempt to steal US$700 from an Indonesian passenger on flight VN630 from Indonesia to Vietnam on January 16, Giang said.     One of the Chinese nationals, whose seat number was 19C, pick-pocketed his victim and he was caught red-handed when he was about to hand the money to his accomplices.

The flight crew made a report about of the pick-pocketing and informed the case to police at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

When the plane landed at the airport, police immediately detained and escorted the suspect, along with his two companions, to their office for questioning. The suspect later pleaded guilty to pick-pocketing.

The police made a report about the case, gave a fine to the picpocket, recovered the stolen money and returned it to its owner.

The police later deported all the three Chinese nationals from Vietnam, Giang said.