How do you protect your cash in transit?

[reader]

The following took place on a relatively short regional flight. It raises the question of how members secure any cash on long-haul flights.

From CNN

A man has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing more than $23,000 in cash from three fellow passengers while on a budget flight from Vietnam to Singapore.

The man was named in court charge sheets as Zhang Xiuqiang, a 52-year-old Chinese national who had been on board a flight operated by Scoot, the budget wing of Singapore Airlines. An airline spokesperson told CNN that it “was aware of an incident” that occurred on board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Singapore on December 16.

“Our cabin crew was alerted by a passenger to a suspected theft in the cabin and activated the Airport Police Division,” the spokesperson said. “The involved passengers were escorted off the aircraft by airport authorities for further investigation, and disembarkation proceeded as usual for the rest of our passengers.”

According to charge sheets read out in court and carried by Singapore public broadcaster Channel NewsAsia, Zhang allegedly stole from three separate passengers. He reportedly took 3 million Vietnamese dong ($123) from a passenger’s backpack, and 510 million Vietnamese dong ($20,950) and a 50 Singapore dollar note ($38) from a black messenger bag belonging to another.

He also allegedly took $1,000 and 930 Singapore dollars ($700) from an envelope found in a gray bag belonging to a third passenger.

 

[10tazione]

Would be interesting to know where the bags were ... in the overhead compartment or under the seat.

On long haul flights I find it annoying to keep money passport etc. in the pockets or in some money belt ... last time I had it at the bottom of my backpack in the overhead compartment.

Don't they have cameras in airplanes?

[unicorn]

2 hours ago, reader said:

The following took place on a relatively short regional flight. It raises the question of how members secure any cash on long-haul flights.

....

According to charge sheets read out in court and carried by Singapore public broadcaster Channel NewsAsia, Zhang allegedly stole from three separate passengers. He reportedly took 3 million Vietnamese dong ($123) from a passenger’s backpack, and 510 million Vietnamese dong ($20,950) and a 50 Singapore dollar note ($38) from a black messenger bag belonging to another.

He also allegedly took $1,000 and 930 Singapore dollars ($700) from an envelope found in a gray bag belonging to a third passenger.

 

Well, I'd never carry around $20,000 in cash under any circumstances. Such quantities of cash usually have to be declared upon entering a country, and would be bound to raise suspicion. Typically, I will carry some $100-$150 in cash in my pants pockets. I suspect that the authorities in Singapore would ask why he was carrying that kind of cash on the flight. 

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/visas-immigration/customs/singapore/#:~:text=If you're entering Singapore,on your departure from Singapore.

If you’re entering Singapore with more than SGD20,000 or its foreign currency equivalent in cash, you must submit a completed NP727 form to:

• the Customs Red Channel on your arrival at Singapore’s Changi Airport, or
• the immigration counter on your departure from Singapore.

 

Collect the NP727 form at any major checkpoint, Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) or, Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP). Alternatively, you can download it from the websites of the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

[Latbear4blk]

3 hours ago, reader said:

how members secure any cash on long-haul flights

[reader]

You have great cleavage for a bear 🙂

[vinapu]

I find that story somewhat untold to the end.

Three separate thefts at random? I can believe in one but three? And such good luck with each bag pillaged? Smells insider knowledge at the least.

Anyways on long overnight  flights I carry money and passport in the money belt in my undies, otherwise I keep said money belt in my carry-on regardless if it goes to overhead or under the seat in front.

[unicorn]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

... I carry money and passport ...in my undies...

[reader]

Mr. Unicorn, your selfies above are revealing. Just hope I don't find myself seated next to you on a future flight. 🙂

On the other hand, I have witnessed the popular "Vinapu tuck" several times, I can attest that the technique is completed with  great finesse.

First move: the note is deftly grasped between the index and ring fingers.

Second move: the middle finger is placed against the abdomen at level of waistband while the index and ring fingers simultaneously push outward.

Third move: with a smooth downward motion, the note is inserted until resistance is detected.

Fourth move: the note is released in a secret action yet to be fully disclosed by inventor.

Fifth move: fingers are withdrawn and placed immediately in pocket for later inspection.

(Full disclosure: this is an unofficial version and not approved by the inventor)

The tuck is customarily performed on males similar to those depicted below.

 

 

 

[fedssocr]

those three could take my 20000

[a-447]

I dont carry a lot of cash when I travel.

I'm off to Taipei and Tokyo tomorrow and will be carrying $100 worth of Taiwanese currency and the same amount of Japaan yen. I always rely on using the ATM machines with my Visa card.

I'm more concerned about my passport so I keep it in a small bag around my neck at all times. I wouldn't leave anything in an overhead locker.

[vinapu]

2 hours ago, reader said:

 

(Full disclosure: this is an unofficial version and not approved by the inventor)

 

approved , approved

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, fedssocr said:

those three could take my 20000

+1, lets do one on the right first

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, a-447 said:

I dont carry a lot of cash when I travel.

....... I always rely on using the ATM machines with my Visa card.

 

Nothing wrong with such preference  but it depends on banking arrangements and exchange rate at destination.

To Thailand I like to take cash for 2 reasons 

1/ banking fees, 220 baht there and about 6$ at my home bank

2/ exchange rate for my domestic currency in Thailand is slightly but universally and it adds up , better than Credit card exchange rate

 ( on one of my trip on the last night I took guy from Moonlight and told him we need to go to ATM to take money for him as my cash almost dried out. Of we went and you guessed it rightly , for some reason transaction was declined. Embarrassing but we went to next one and it worked )

[Keithambrose]

7 hours ago, a-447 said:

I dont carry a lot of cash when I travel.

I'm off to Taipei and Tokyo tomorrow and will be carrying $100 worth of Taiwanese currency and the same amount of Japaan yen. I always rely on using the ATM machines with my Visa card.

I'm more concerned about my passport so I keep it in a small bag around my neck at all times. I wouldn't leave anything in an overhead locker.

I have a cash card, which I can load in local currency, so no foreign currency surcharge. Reduces cash needed. Can withdraw bshtveadily from ATM. Saves quite a bit.

[10tazione]

11 hours ago, reader said:

Mr. Unicorn, your selfies above are revealing. Just hope I don't find myself seated next to you on a future flight. 🙂

On the other hand, I have witnessed the popular "Vinapu tuck" several times, I can attest that the technique is completed with  great finesse.

First move: the note is deftly grasped between the index and ring fingers.

Second move: the middle finger is placed against the abdomen at level of waistband while the index and ring fingers simultaneously push outward.

Third move: with a smooth downward motion, the note is inserted until resistance is detected.

Fourth move: the note is released in a secret action yet to be fully disclosed by inventor.

Fifth move: fingers are withdrawn and placed immediately in pocket for later inspection.

(Full disclosure: this is an unofficial version and not approved by the inventor)

The tuck is customarily performed on males similar to those depicted below.

Is it really 100% tactile - no visual check of the goods?

[forky123]

I use hand luggage with internal compartments and use padlocks to secure the various pockets. I always put the bag in the nearest overhead to me. A thief on a flight has to be pretty brazen as they have no escape. You are much more likely to be pickpocketed at the airport or your destination. 

[Thomas_88]

13 hours ago, a-447 said:

I dont carry a lot of cash when I travel.

I'm off to Taipei and Tokyo tomorrow and will be carrying $100 worth of Taiwanese currency and the same amount of Japaan yen. I always rely on using the ATM machines with my Visa card.

I'm more concerned about my passport so I keep it in a small bag around my neck at all times. I wouldn't leave anything in an overhead locker.

 

Agreed. In my opinion it would be worse losing my passport compared to a hundred US$. Many years ago I had cargo pants, it's not as safe as a money belt but I think it's safer compared to an overhead locker.