Three Chinese nationals have been “blacklisted” and prohibited from flying on Vietnam Airlines after being caught red-handed picking the pockets of other passengers.

Le Truong Giang, spokesman of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, said 41 year-old Gui Gouliang, was caught in the act of stealing from another passenger on a flight from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City on March 1.

Gui Guoliang sat on seat 17C and was seen rummaging through luggage of another passenger nearby.

Upon noticing the act in progress the owner let out a scream drawing the attention of crew members who quickly took control of the situation and turned the matter over to police at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Gui was then deported from Vietnam.

Earlier, on January 19 Vietnam Airlines stewards recorded images of two Chinese passengers, Zhang Giang and Ren Guanghan, in their pick-pocketing attempts on a flight from Bangkok to HCM City.