Chinese National Arrested At Delhi IGI Airport For Allegedly Stealing Debit, Cards Cards Mid-Air; Three Associates Detained

A Chinese national was arrested at Delhi’s IGI Airport for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards mid-air on Wednesday (14 May), Indian Express reported, citing police.

Police also detained three of his associates, all of them Chinese nationals.

Those held have been identified as Benlai Pan (30), and his associates Meng Guangyang (51), Chang Mang (42), and Liu Jie (45).

The arrest followed a tip-off from Air India’s Security and Vigilance team over suspicious onboard activity on flight AI-315 from Hong Kong to Delhi.

Passenger Prabhat Verma (seated at 12C) was informed by the cabin crew of suspicious movement near his overhead baggage, following which he discovered his Bank of America credit card missing. His card was later found under seat 14C.

Seat 14C, where the card was recovered, was occupied by Pan—despite his ticket being for seat 23C.

Another flyer, Prashi (14A), seated at 14A, reported her mother’s HDFC card missing.

A third passenger, Nafeez Fatima, provided a video capturing Pan opening cabin baggage and inspecting personal belongings.

Pan and his associates were questioned.

Meanwhile, a police team coordinated with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and airline security, analysed surveillance footage, secured cabin crew statements, and examined digital evidence.

Travel and immigration records of the accused are now under scrutiny.

“During interrogation, Pan confessed that he and his accomplices were part of a coordinated syndicate operating on international transit flights. Their tactics included booking transit flights with longer durations to maximise access to unsupervised cabin luggage,” Usha Rangnani, Additional Commissioner of Police, IGI Airport, was quoted as saying by IE.

According to the police, the group’s strategy involved occupying separate seats to avoid suspicion. They targeted sleeping passengers, quietly stole cards, and disposed of them after attempting misuse, making detection harder.

"The group deliberately used flights between high-traffic international routes, exploiting long-duration flights and cabin fatigue,” the ACP added.

The police have so far recovered a Bank of America credit card found at seat 14C, along with several bags, wallets, and electronic items currently under investigation.

Benlai Pan has been arrested, while Probes continue against his three companions, the police said.

Authorities are reviewing their past year’s travel data and have alerted airports nationwide. Global agencies have also been notified to investigate a wider syndicate link.

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