Two Moscow travelers had 170,000 rubles stolen from their carry-on luggage during an overnight flight from Russia to Vietnam. The theft occurred shortly after the passengers fell asleep on a long-haul service bound for Ho Chi Minh City, according to a report by the Russian Telegram news channel Baza.
The victim, identified as a Moscow resident named Alisa, was traveling with her husband when the incident took place. After waking up during the flight, the couple discovered that cash in euros and a bank card had been taken out of their wallets.
Throughout the flight, the couple's backpacks containing their wallets had been kept on the overhead shelf above their seats. Long-haul overnight flights between Russia and Southeast Asia often span several hours, during which main cabin lighting is dimmed and passengers frequently sleep.
In-flight search for the missing funds
A search for the perpetrator was launched while the aircraft was still airborne. During the inspection of the cabin, the couple's stolen bank card was discovered on the floor beneath the feet of one of the passengers, though no money was found in that passenger's possession.
The spouses suggested that the thief had either hidden the cash elsewhere on the plane or handed the stolen money over to an accomplice prior to the search. Baza is a popular Russian digital news outlet on Telegram that frequently publishes reports on travel incidents and aviation safety.
Police investigation in Vietnam
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, local law enforcement officers were summoned to the airport to handle the case. Ho Chi Minh City, located in southern Vietnam, is the country's main commercial center and busiest aviation gateway. However, police officers who arrived at the scene were unable to help the Russian couple recover their stolen money.
The robbery is part of a broader pattern of cabin thefts reported on flights originating from Russia. In an earlier case, wealthy Moscow travelers heading to a luxury resort destination lost 120,000 rubles to air thieves who targeted their belongings during a flight.
