Singapore jail term for tourist after failed attempt to steal 4.95-carat diamond

A Singapore court has sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in jail after a failed bid to steal a nearly 5-carat diamond by hiding it in an accomplice’s mouth.

What happened

According to court documents seen by AFP, Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and his accomplice visited a jewellery store in Singapore’s Chinatown on June 19 targeting a 4.95-carat diamond valued at $154,000. While Mangroliya distracted the shop manager, his partner, identified as 30-year-old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, allegedly swapped the real stone for a fake that he had hidden in his mouth.

Arrest and recovery

The theft was captured on the store’s surveillance cameras, and both men were arrested at the airport later the same day. Authorities recovered the stolen gem from one of their bags, the court papers said.

Sentencing and pending proceedings

Mangroliya pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years, two months and two weeks in jail, court papers said. Serasiya remains in remand and is scheduled for a hearing on Friday.

Plot details noted by investigators

The pair are reported to have arranged for a counterfeit diamond to be produced in India that matched the real gem’s specifications and serial number. It is unclear how they obtained the diamond’s details in advance, the report said.

Case status

Court documents and local media reports provide the details above; further proceedings for Serasiya are pending.