A Chinese language man named Wu Youquan was detained for attempting to change a diamond ring valued at SG$318,000 (US$237,000) with a faux one at a Tiffany & Co retailer in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
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A gloved hand selecting up jewellery. Illustration photograph 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 courtroom 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 fee was not specified to Wu, however he was promised an affordable quantity.
In accordance with The Straits Instances, Wu traveled to Singapore by himself on Nov. 1, 2023, together with his journey funded by Chen. His activity was to go to the Tiffany & Co. retailer at Marina Bay Sands, discover the most costly diamond ring, and {photograph} it.
After returning to China and sending Chen the photograph of a 3.18-carat diamond ring, Wu acquired a counterfeit ring from Chen by the mail. On Nov. 20, 2023, he returned to Singapore and revisited the identical retailer. Wu distracted the shop’s staff supervisor and switched the rings.
His scheme unraveled when the supervisor observed the value tag on the faux ring felt completely different. When a retailer worker was about to look him, Wu pulled out the true ring from his pocket and pleaded for mercy. He was subsequently arrested.
A Singaporean prosecutor recommended at courtroom a minimal of 42 months in jail for Wu. Below Singaporean legislation, an individual responsible of stealing from a dwelling may resist seven years in jail and a nice.