Vape Planted in My Bag?! Traveller Fears Setup on Flight to Singapore
A Singaporean man who recently returned from a trip to Japan had the shock of his life when he discovered a vape device mysteriously placed in the side pocket of his carry-on bag. Sharing his experience on Reddit’s r/askSingapore forum, the man recounted how he retrieved his backpack from the overhead compartment after landing—only to spot a brand-new vape still sealed in its box.
Neither he nor his wife are smokers, and they had not purchased or packed any such device. Alarmed by Singapore’s strict anti-vape laws, the traveller acted swiftly. He handed the device over to the nearest airport officer, explaining the situation in full. Thankfully, authorities did not press further or require him to sign any documentation.
Despite being let off without issue, the man said the incident left him unsettled. “I know the punishment for vape possession in Singapore is serious. I thought someone might be trying to set us up,” he wrote. With hefty fines and possible jail time for possession of e-cigarettes, the fear wasn’t unwarranted.
Could This Be a New Smuggling Tactic?
His post triggered an outpouring of similar stories and concerns from fellow netizens. One Redditor suggested that smugglers might be using unsuspecting passengers as “mules” to transport contraband past customs. “They could’ve planned to retrieve the vape from your bag after you cleared immigration,” one commenter theorised.
Others cited stories of discovering suspicious items like white powder or edibles in their bags after flights, especially on routes from countries where such items are legal or loosely regulated. Some even worried about more dangerous substances, including marijuana-laced vapes or drug-laced consumables. Several users warned that the vape could have contained THC, which is legal in some parts of Japan but categorised as a Class A controlled substance in Singapore.
Lock Your Bags, Stay Vigilant
Many Reddit users echoed the sentiment that this was a stark reminder to always lock bags and never leave personal belongings unattended—even on a flight. Backpacks with side pockets or unlocked zippers are particularly vulnerable, especially when placed in overhead compartments.
“Wrap your bags, lock all compartments, and check them thoroughly after landing,” advised one commenter. “Better paranoid than sorry.”
Though no concrete evidence points to a widespread scam, the incident has struck a chord with frequent flyers. The unpredictability of what others may place in your belongings—even unknowingly—has become a rising concern.
In Singapore, possession, purchase, or use of e-cigarettes is illegal and can result in a fine of up to S$2,000, with repeat offences potentially attracting harsher penalties. While this case ended without legal consequences thanks to the traveller’s quick thinking, it serves as a chilling warning of the risks travellers face even when they’ve done nothing wrong.
If you’re heading overseas soon, especially to countries where laws differ vastly from Singapore, it might be time to invest in tamper-proof locks and give your bags one last check before landing.