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A Malaysian citizen planted a video camera in the first class bathroom on United Airlines flight 646 from San Diego to Houston on May 05, 2019. A fellow passenger visited the restroom and noticed a “blue blinking light” within the cabinet and wall area near the door hinge.
Once she finished doing her business, she grabbed the item in a paper towel, removing it from the bathroom and handed the item to the flight attendant.
According to the probable cause complaint, the flight crew provided the item to United Airlines security, who confirmed the item was a small video recording device. They viewed the information on the device and saw a man installing the device in the first class lavatory of flight UA646.
The security team noted the clothing and jewelry details which proved to be distinctive. The FBI then reviewed video footage of the boarding of flight UA646 in San Diego and identified a male. The FBI then reviewed airport footage in Houston of UA646 disembarkation. They were able to identify an individual matching the clues contained on the video. This individual was later identified as Choon Ping Lee, and employee of Halliburton.
Review of the video on the device showed that this device had been previously implanted within a lavatory on an unidentified Emirates flight.
The FBI contacted Halliburton, verified Choon Ping Lee had flown Emirates Airlines for work related travel and Halliburton provided to the FBI a video image of Lee walking at his place of employ. Lee was wearing the same jewelry which was seen on the UA646 video.
