Turkish passenger loses over USD 257,000 in mid-air theft

Beijing, May 3, 2016, (PTI)

A Turkish businessman who flew into Hong Kong from Dubai has lost USD 257,730 in cash and other valuables in an in-flight theft, police said.
Turkish watch merchant Mustasa Saci, 39, was flying aboard an Emirates flight from Dubai to Hong Kong when the money and valuables were stolen from his carry-on luggage stowed in an overhead compartment.

Hong Kong police said the passenger alerted Emirates airline staff early on Monday, who then called the authorities.

It was understood Saci was seated in economy class and came to Hong Kong for business.

Police said the man had lost two watches, a Rolex and a Patek Philippe, and foreign currency.

A spokesperson for Emirates, the airline the man took to Hong Kong, said: "Emirates is working closely with the police department and providing information to assist with their investigation."

Emirates spokesperson told the BBC that the airline would not be providing further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Police were treating the case as theft. So far, no one has been arrested, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported.

There have been increasing reports of mid-air thefts around the world, some of which are said to involve organised gangs, the report said.