Post by : Badri Ariffin

A Singapore court has sentenced an Indian national to two years, two months and two weeks in jail for his involvement in a planned attempt to steal a 4.95-carat diamond worth around SGD200,000 (approximately USD154,000) from a jewellery store in Chinatown.

Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced on Friday, July 17, 2026. His alleged accomplice, Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, 30, is facing a separate case, with his court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Fake Diamond Swap Plan in Singapore Jewellery Store

According to court documents and reports, the two Indian nationals travelled to Singapore with a pre-planned strategy to replace a genuine diamond with a counterfeit stone.

The duo had reportedly arranged for a fake diamond to be manufactured in Surat, India, matching the original gemstone’s specifications and serial number before travelling to Singapore. Authorities said the pair met through a mutual friend and entered Singapore on social visit passes.

The target was a rare 4.95-carat diamond displayed at Dianoche jewellery store in Chinatown.

How the Diamond Theft Attempt Was Carried Out

The pair entered the jewellery store at around 3 pm on June 19, 2026, and requested to inspect the gemstone.

As part of the plan, Mangroliya distracted the store’s sales manager by asking to see multiple jewellery items. During this time, Milan allegedly carried out the diamond exchange.

Milan took out a counterfeit diamond hidden in his mouth and replaced it with the original gemstone. He then concealed the real diamond inside his mouth before leaving the store.

However, the entire act was captured on the store’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

After the two men left, the sales manager checked the gemstone using an optical identification machine and discovered that the diamond had been replaced with a fake one.

Arrest at Changi Airport Before Leaving Singapore

Following the theft attempt, the two men returned to their hotel, checked out earlier than planned, and booked a flight to India.

However, they were arrested at around 8.50 pm at Changi Airport Terminal 3 while trying to clear immigration.

Police recovered the stolen diamond from Milan’s haversack.

Mangroliya was arrested on June 20, 2026, and remained in custody until his sentencing.

Court Highlights Planning Behind Diamond Theft

During the sentencing hearing, State Prosecuting Officer Yip Cheng Yee highlighted that the crime involved careful planning and preparation.

The prosecution pointed out that the accused had travelled to Singapore specifically to commit the offence, arranged a counterfeit diamond beforehand, and worked together to avoid detection.

"The offence was premeditated and involved a degree of planning," the prosecution said, according to reports.

Mangroliya, speaking through an interpreter, requested a lighter sentence, stating that he has two children in India.

Under Singapore law, theft committed in a building carries a maximum punishment of up to seven years in jail and a fine.

The case against Milan Ramnikbhai is still ongoing and will be heard separately by the court.

#Global News #Asia News #Singapore News #World Update