Post by : Rohit Dhiman

A man involved in a carefully planned Chinatown Diamond Heist in Singapore has been sentenced to 26 months and two weeks in jail after admitting his role in stealing a valuable diamond from a jewellery trader. Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, a 30-year-old man from India, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft with common intention. The court heard how he and his accomplice allegedly used an unusual method involving a specially manufactured fake diamond to replace the genuine gemstone. The case attracted attention because the counterfeit stone was reportedly produced in Surat, India, and was made to match the specifications and serial number of the actual diamond they intended to steal. The genuine gemstone was a 4.95-carat diamond valued at about US$154,000, which was equivalent to nearly S$200,000 at the time of the incident.

How Was the Diamond Stolen?

The incident began after Serasiya and his accomplice, Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibha, entered Singapore on June 19 with the intention of stealing the valuable gemstone. According to the details presented in court, Mangroliya was allegedly the main planner behind the operation. He reportedly identified Dianoche Diamonds Jewelry as the target, arranged flights and accommodation, and helped obtain the counterfeit gemstone. The pair visited the jewellery trader in Chinatown and asked to examine the diamond at around 3pm. While Mangroliya reportedly kept the sales manager occupied by asking to see several other jewellery items, Serasiya carried out the exchange. He allegedly took the fake diamond from his mouth, switched it with the genuine stone and then concealed the real diamond in his mouth. The entire exchange was captured on closed-circuit television cameras.

Fake Diamond Was Made in Surat

One of the most unusual aspects of the Diamond Theft case was the preparation of the counterfeit gemstone. The fake diamond was specially commissioned in Surat, India. It was reportedly manufactured to closely correspond to the targeted diamond's specifications and serial number. This was apparently intended to make the substitution less obvious during the transaction. After the exchange, the two men left the store. Mangroliya reportedly told the sales manager that he would think about purchasing the gemstone before departing with Serasiya. However, the suspected plan quickly began to unravel.

Jewellery Staff Discover the Fake Gem

After the men left, the sales manager examined the gemstone and discovered that it was not genuine. The discovery prompted immediate action as the suspects had already left the premises and were reportedly preparing to leave Singapore. The pair returned to their hotel and arranged a flight to India later that evening. Police eventually arrested both men at Changi Airport while they were attempting to clear immigration. The genuine 4.95-carat diamond was subsequently recovered from Serasiya's haversack. The arrest brought the attempted escape to an end and allowed investigators to recover the valuable gemstone.

Accomplice Received the Same Jail Term

Serasiya's accomplice, 41-year-old Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibha, had already been sentenced to the same 26-month-and-two-week jail term in July. The prosecution argued that there was no significant difference in the responsibility of the two men that would justify giving Serasiya a different sentence. The prosecutor therefore asked the court to follow the principle of parity and impose a punishment similar to the sentence previously handed to Mangroliya. Serasiya's lawyer, Amarick Gill, also requested a sentence comparable to that imposed on his client’s accomplice.

Lawyer Highlights Family Circumstances

During the sentencing proceedings, Serasiya's lawyer told the court that his client is married and has a six-month-old son. The lawyer also said that Serasiya is the sole breadwinner of his family and runs a small business selling textiles and garments. According to the defence, Mangroliya was the person who developed the plan and had experience working in the gem industry, while Serasiya had no background in the diamond trade. The defence nevertheless sought a sentence in line with the punishment already imposed on Mangroliya.

What Happened at Changi Airport?

The Changi Airport Arrest happened after the suspects attempted to leave Singapore for India. The men had reportedly booked a flight after returning to their hotel following the jewellery store visit. By that stage, however, the suspected theft had already been detected. Authorities arrested them while they were attempting to clear immigration at Changi Airport. The genuine diamond was later recovered, preventing the valuable gemstone from being taken out of Singapore.

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What happened in the Chinatown diamond case?

Two men were involved in a planned diamond theft in Singapore. A specially made fake gemstone was used to replace a genuine 4.95-carat diamond.

How much was the stolen diamond worth?

The diamond was valued at about US$154,000, equivalent to almost S$200,000 at the time.

Where was the fake diamond made?

The counterfeit gemstone was specially made in Surat, India, according to the case presented in court.

How did the thieves replace the diamond?

One of the men concealed the fake gemstone in his mouth, used it during the exchange and then hid the genuine diamond in the same manner.

Where were the suspects arrested?

The suspects were arrested at Changi Airport while attempting to leave Singapore.

What sentence did Serasiya receive?

Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai was sentenced to 26 months and two weeks in jail.

Singapore Chinatown Diamond Theft Case

The case is linked to Singapore Crime, with the alleged theft taking place at a jewellery trader in Chinatown and the suspects later being arrested at Changi Airport. The unusual method used in the alleged Fake Diamond exchange, combined with the reported preparation of the counterfeit stone in Surat, India, has made the case particularly notable. The court proceedings have now resulted in jail sentences for both men. The genuine gemstone was recovered after the arrests, while the counterfeit diamond used in the alleged operation was identified as part of the investigation. For the offence of theft, Serasiya could have faced a maximum sentence of up to seven years in jail and a fine.

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