SINGAPORE

A 34-year-old former jewelry store sales executive has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after stealing gold plates valued at over $124,000 and $20,000 in cash from his employer. Jacky Tan Jun Jia, who was struggling with a gambling addiction, committed the crime at Chow Tai Fook Jewelry located in Bugis Junction shopping mall in June 2024.

Background on the Theft

Tan confessed that his financial desperation led him to borrow money from both licensed and unlicensed moneylenders in 2023. On June 18, he reported for work only to find an office safe left open. After a brief period of pretending to feel unwell, he began stocktaking duties and formulated a plan to steal from the store. At around 5:20 p.m., he took the gold plates and cash from the safe, a theft recorded by the store's CCTV system.

Post-Theft Actions

After leaving the store, Tan took a taxi to a pawn shop in Bedok North, where he pawned 10 gold plates and received approximately $48,000 in return. He revealed to investigators that he used nearly $68,000 of his ill-gotten gains to pay off his debts and gave 10 gold plates to an unlicensed moneylender referred to as 'Ah Wee.' Additionally, he handed $3,000 in cash to his wife and deposited $4,000 into his bank account.

Discovery and Arrest

The theft was discovered by his colleagues around 7:30 p.m., leading the assistant manager to report the crime to the police. Just before 9 p.m., Tan sent a message to the assistant manager admitting his theft but then switched off his phone and disposed of it near Block 216 Bedok North Road. He also contacted his brother, expressing his intent to go into hiding.

Legal Proceedings

Authorities arrested Tan at around 10:15 p.m. after he surrendered. Police recovered $3,000 in cash from him along with the 10 pawned gold plates.

Defense and Sentencing

During the court proceedings, defense lawyers Sarbrinder Singh and Nicholas Say pleaded for leniency, arguing that Tan was under severe pressure from loan sharks, which pushed him to commit the theft. They claimed he was remorseful and had cooperated fully with law enforcement.

Broader Implications

The case raises important concerns about the plight of individuals caught in the cycle of gambling addiction and the predatory practices of illegal moneylenders. With law enforcement increasingly targeting such lenders, there’s a growing conversation in Singapore about the need for support systems for those struggling with gambling and financial distress.

Next Steps

Tan's bail was set at $20,000 following his sentencing on March 14, and he is scheduled to begin serving his prison term on March 28. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the devastating impacts of gambling addiction and the lengths to which individuals may go when under financial strain.