A Chinese man is facing criminal charges after being caught stealing nearly VND400 million (US$17,665) from two passengers aboard a domestic Vietnamese flight.

According to national carrier Vietnam Airlines, the incident occurred on flight VN 216 travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi at 7:00 am on Sunday last week.

During the journey, the chief flight attendant noticed some suspicious behavior from D.Y.J., a 47-year-old Chinese passenger.

The man switched his seat from 3D to 2D and was holding a handbag that did not appear to belong to him.

The head steward asked two other passengers sitting in seats 1G and 1D to check their cabin luggage.

One of those passengers reported some VND100 million ($4,416) in cash missing along with $400, while the other had lost approximately $13,000, , bringing the total value of the theft to nearly VND400 million.

The flights cabin crew made a report and handed D.Y.J. over to authorities at Noi Bai International Airport once the plane had landed.

Officers from the municipal Department of Police are investigating the case and considering criminal charges against the Chinese national.

A representative from Vietnam Airlines confirmed that the company would continue to tighten security on its flights to prevent similar offenses.

The carrier also recommended passengers pay close attention to their valuables during their journeys as well as cooperate with cabin crew staff when potential cases of theft are spotted aboard flights.

On March 2, Dai Da Peng, a 26-year-old Chinese national was detained by police in Ho Chi Minh City after being caught red-handed attempting to steal money from another passenger on a similair Vietnam Airlines flight.

Dai took VND13 million (US$566.4) from the victim’s carry-on bag while he was eating breakfast, and hid it inside his jacket before heading to the restroom. Another passenger spotted the incident and reported the case to the flights crew.

On November 24, Min Li Yong, passenger of a Vietnam Airlines flight flying from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, attempted to cut his way into another passenger’s suitcase using a pocket knife.   

Earlier on the same day, Wang Qingjian was arrested after being caught stealing over VND400 million ($17,588) in cash from a Vietnamese passenger and hiding it in his own suitcase.