SINGAPORE –

An unusual incident unfolded at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 on March 15 when a 28-year-old Indian national was arrested for allegedly pilfering bottles of high-priced perfume from duty-free shops while in transit.

According to reports, the woman was caught on closed-circuit television footage stealthily leaving The Shilla Duty Free Cosmetic Shop without paying for not one, but two bottles of sought-after fragrance. The alarm was raised when store staff noticed the items missing during their routine inventory check.

A vigilant security officer, alerted to the theft by the shop personnel, apprehended her just before she could board her flight out of Singapore. In a surprising turn of events, the suspect attempted to deny her wrongdoing but was soon unmasked when she revealed one bottle of perfume from her possession. A thorough search of her bag uncovered three additional bottles, raising immediate suspicions about her motives.

Preliminary investigations reveal that this was not an isolated incident; the woman had swiped an additional two bottles from another retail location within the terminal’s bustling departure hall, bringing the total value of the stolen perfumes to a staggering $742. The items have since been returned to the respective shops, but the implications for the suspect could be severe.

Expected to face court charges on March 20, she could potentially face up to seven years in prison if found guilty of theft. In addition to imprisonment, fines could also be imposed, layering on further consequences. The police have made it clear that they take shop theft seriously and are committed to enforcing the law decisively.

As authorities crack down on theft in such major transit hubs, passengers are reminded to exercise caution, as this incident serves as a stark reminder that not everything that glitters is glamour. What motivated this woman to embark on such a risky heist at one of the world’s busiest airports remains a question, leaving many to speculate about the lengths some will go to for luxury goods.