Two foreign nationals are set to appear in a Singapore court over separate alleged theft cases involving perfume at Changi Airport.
An Australian man, 37, and an American man, 50, will be charged on Aug. 17 after airport police investigated separate incidents in the transit areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
The cases involved multiple perfume products with a combined value of more than S$1,400. The Australian man’s alleged case dates back to November 2025, while the American man’s alleged thefts took place earlier this month.
Australian man allegedly took S$430 worth of perfume
According to the police, the Australian man allegedly stole two boxes of perfume from a retail outlet in the transit area of Terminal 2 on Nov. 19, 2025.
Airport police were alerted at around 6.45pm after a retail assistant discovered that two perfume boxes were missing from a display shelf.
CCTV footage allegedly showed the man taking the two boxes at about 4.50pm before leaving the store without paying. The items were estimated to be worth around S$430.
Police subsequently identified the suspect, but by then he had already left Singapore.
The man was later arrested on Aug. 4 when he returned to Changi Airport while transiting through Singapore.
American man allegedly linked to multiple thefts
The second case involved an American man who allegedly stole perfume from a retail shop in Terminal 1’s transit area on Aug. 5.
Police were alerted at approximately 1.25am after a retail assistant noticed that a box of perfume had disappeared from the store’s display.
CCTV footage allegedly captured the man taking the perfume, valued at around S$310, at approximately 12.40am before leaving without making payment.
Airport police officers located and arrested him before he could board his flight.
Further CCTV checks allegedly uncovered additional thefts involving two other retail outlets within the transit area.
More perfume products allegedly stolen
Investigators found that the American man was allegedly linked to the theft of another perfume box worth about S$170.
He was also allegedly responsible for taking a perfume tester valued at more than S$230 from another retail store.
The total value of the items allegedly stolen by the American man was estimated at around S$717.
The cases highlight the extensive CCTV coverage and security measures in place at Changi Airport, where retail outlets operate within both public and restricted transit areas.
Both men are scheduled to be charged in court on Aug. 17 for theft.
Potential penalties under Singapore law
If convicted, each man could face a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both, depending on the circumstances and the outcome of the court proceedings.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and both men are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.
The cases also serve as a reminder that passengers travelling through Singapore remain subject to the country’s criminal laws while inside Changi Airport, including within the transit areas.
For travellers, purchasing high-value items from airport duty-free and retail outlets may be convenient, but attempting to leave a store without paying can result in criminal proceedings even if the alleged theft involves relatively small quantities of merchandise.
With both cases scheduled for court proceedings, further details about the charges and any subsequent court outcomes may emerge after the men appear before the court.