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In a rare case of mid-transit crime at one of the world’s most secure airports, an American dentist and his engineer wife were sentenced after being caught shoplifting high-end items at Changi Airport.
On June 23, while en route from the United States to India, 35-year-old Kapadia Husain Zoher entered the Louis Vuitton boutique at Terminal 1 of Changi Airport. Inside, he quietly pocketed a luxury card holder worth around S$600. Just minutes later, at Terminal 3, he and his wife, 30-year-old Kapadia Amatullah, entered The Shilla Duty Free store, where he again slipped a bottle of Dior Sauvage perfume worth about S$160 into his pocket while his wife stood watch. The two then continued through transit, preparing to board their connecting flight to Mumbai.
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What they didn’t know was that both acts were captured on high resolution CCTV footage, and Changi’s security network was already in motion. Airport police had identified the couple within the hour. Before their aircraft could leave the tarmac, officers intervened and escorted them off the plane.
Zoher, who pleaded guilty to one count of theft, was sentenced on August 4 to 18 days in jail. Both stolen items were recovered and returned to the stores.
Singapore’s zero tolerance approach to crime extends to everyone, regardless of nationality. Shoplifting, even when minor, can result in immediate arrest, prosecution, and jail time.
Furthermore, foreigners convicted of theft in Singapore often face more than just jail. Deportation is common, along with blacklisting from future travel to the country. Criminal records can also affect work opportunities and visa approvals elsewhere in the region.
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Singaporean courts take a firm stance on crimes committed by visitors, especially in high security areas like Changi Airport. In this case, swift coordination between terminals and clear CCTV footage led to a prompt arrest and delivered a strong message that in Singapore the law follows you wherever you go.
