Indonesian worker stole S$12,000 and discarded cash in panic
An Indonesian domestic worker has been sentenced to eight months in prison for stealing almost S$12,000 from her employers, a couple who operated a food stall. The theft occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the couple stored their weekly earnings at home instead of depositing them in the bank.
The maid, identified as Aryani, used the stolen money to purchase luxury items, including an iPhone 12 Pro, shoes, and clothing. She also sent S$3,000 back to her home country. In a moment of panic after her employers reported the theft to the police, Aryani threw S$2,650 out of a window, where it was later found by a swimmer at the condominium pool.
Breach of Trust and Discovery
The employers noticed missing cash bags in mid-2021 but initially assumed they had misplaced them. They eventually confronted Aryani, who denied taking the money. After police were involved, investigations uncovered that she had stolen four cash bags containing S$11,635.50 and an additional S$200 from a wallet.
Aryani’s employers found the missing cash was used for personal expenses and remittances. When questioned, she panicked and discarded part of the cash, which was recovered by condominium management and handed over to authorities.
Court Sentence and Plea for Leniency
Aryani pleaded guilty to theft by servant and acknowledged her actions in court. While the prosecution sought a sentence of 10 to 12 months, Aryani requested a reduced term, citing her responsibilities as the sole breadwinner for her family. Despite her plea, the court imposed an eight-month jail term.
Her employers retained her iPhone 12 Pro and withheld part of her salary as partial restitution. Aryani has not returned the stolen amount but agreed to the retention of these assets.
For theft by a servant, she could have faced up to seven years in prison and a fine.
