Security Officer at Haneda Airport Steals Cash During Screening
Admits: "I Did It for the Thrill and to Save Money"
Used Same Method 70-80 Times Since August, Stole Over 14 Million Won
According to reports from Japanese media outlets such as NHK on September 15 (local time), a 21-year-old security screening officer working at Haneda Airport in Japan was arrested by police on suspicion of stealing 90,000 yen (approximately 850,000 won) in cash during a passenger's luggage inspection.
The suspect, an employee of a security company contracted by an airline to handle security screening at Haneda Airport, was referred to the prosecution on the same day.
The incident occurred just before 6:30 p.m. on September 13 at the domestic security screening area of Terminal 1 at Haneda Airport. A passenger in their 30s was undergoing a baggage check and had placed their cash on a tray along with their bag for inspection. At that moment, the suspect, who was in charge of guiding passengers, allegedly picked up the cash, put it in his shirt pocket, and then hid it inside a spare toilet paper roll in a nearby restroom stall.
The incident came to light when the passenger, after completing the inspection, realized the cash was missing and informed another security screening staff member. A police investigation confirmed that surveillance cameras had captured the suspect behaving suspiciously.
During questioning, the suspect admitted to the charges, stating, "I stole for the thrill. The work was physically demanding, so I was planning to quit, and I intended to save the stolen money to help cover living expenses." The suspect also confessed to having stolen money using the same method approximately 70 to 80 times since August, with the total amount reaching about 1.5 million yen (approximately 14.1 million won). The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is continuing to investigate the specific details of the crimes.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
