Thieves strike mid-air as in-flight card thefts climb

The Immigration Bureau is advising air travellers to take extra care following a rise in credit card thefts during flights, most of which occur on short-haul international routes lasting no more than three hours.

Data from 18 financial institutions show more than 80 cases, with total damages exceeding 8 million baht, highlighting a growing trend of in-flight skimming and theft.

“To combat the problem, the bureau is implementing a ‘Crime Triangle’ strategy, which focuses on the victim, the opportunity and the criminal,” said Pol. Col. Pongthorn Pongratchatanan, deputy commander of Immigration Division 2, adding that the primary goal is to reduce the “opportunity” for these crimes to occur.

The effort will also include proactive public relations campaigns at airports and online, as well as coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and various airlines.

Flight crews are also being asked to play a more active role in monitoring suspicious behaviour and advising passengers to remain vigilant.

Rywin Voravongsatit, president of the Credit Card Fraud Prevention Club and head of operations control and merchant operations at Krungthai Card (KTC), explained that criminals typically target overhead luggage compartments.

The typical tactic involves thieves waiting for passengers to fall asleep or become distracted before accessing bags stored in overhead bins, which are often positioned away from the owner’s direct line of sight.

Once the credit cards are stolen, the getaway is executed swiftly. Transactions are usually made via mobile devices immediately after the plane lands, allowing criminals to spend the funds before the victim even realises the card is missing,” Rywin explained.

“These cases are often categorised as ‘lost cards’ because the owner did not have physical possession during the transaction,” he noted, adding that while digital payment technology offers convenience, it also allows fraudsters to move much faster.

As Thailand moves toward a cashless society, KTC said risk management must combine user behaviour with digital tools.

Recommendations for passengers while travelling include keeping credit cards on one’s person at all times rather than in overhead compartments.

To further mitigate risk, travellers should utilise app control features such as “Temporary Block” functions or “Spending Controls”, and enable real-time alerts to detect unauthorised transactions as they occur.

Finally, informing your bank of your travel plans in advance is crucial, as it allows security systems to more accurately identify and flag suspicious activity during your trip.

The Immigration Bureau also reminds passengers to check their belongings regularly throughout their journey to ensure a safe and worry-free trip.