A Chinese language man named Wu Youquan was detained for making an attempt to change a diamond ring valued at SG$318,000 (US$237,000) with a pretend one at a Tiffany & Co retailer in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
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A gloved hand selecting up jewellery. Illustration picture by Freepik |
The 44-year-old admitted to theft and acquired a 40-month jail sentence on Friday, as reported by the South China Morning Submit.
Wu disclosed in court docket that in October final yr, he was lured by one other Chinese language nationwide named Chen Hanbo by way of WeChat, with the provide of a “quick money job.” This job entailed substituting an actual diamond ring on the high-end jewellery retailer with an imitation. The precise cost was not specified to Wu, however he was promised an inexpensive quantity.
In accordance with The Straits Instances, Wu traveled to Singapore by himself on Nov. 1, 2023, along with his journey funded by Chen. His job was to go to the Tiffany & Co. retailer at Marina Bay Sands, discover the costliest diamond ring, and {photograph} it.
After returning to China and sending Chen the picture of a 3.18-carat diamond ring, Wu received a counterfeit ring from Chen by way of the mail. On Nov. 20, 2023, he returned to Singapore and revisited the identical retailer. Wu distracted the shop’s workforce supervisor and switched the rings.
His scheme unraveled when the supervisor seen the worth tag on the pretend ring felt totally different. When a retailer worker was about to look him, Wu pulled out the actual ring from his pocket and pleaded for mercy. He was subsequently arrested.
A Singaporean prosecutor instructed at court docket a minimal of 42 months in jail for Wu. Below Singaporean legislation, an individual responsible of stealing from a dwelling might resist seven years in jail and a positive.