Domestic helper jailed for stealing $12,000 from elderly employers
A 31-year-old domestic helper from Myanmar was sentenced to nine months' jail on June 24 for stealing a total of $12,000 from her elderly employers over a period of one month.
Ei Zin Phyu had been working for an 81-year-old woman and her 82-year-old husband, residing with them in their flat along Hougang Avenue 8.
The helper frequently accompanied the male employer on ATM visits and assisted with cash withdrawals.
During these trips, she memorised the PIN for his ATM card and observed that he kept his wallet in a drawer in the living room.
Between Dec 5, 2023, and Jan 13, 2024, Phyu stole the ATM card on 11 occasions and withdrew sums ranging from $500 to $1,500 each time. These amounted to a total of $12,000. On some days, she made two withdrawals.
She then transferred the stolen sums to Myanmar using the Singtel Dash e-wallet service at convenience stores. While she claimed the money was sent home to repay medical debts left by her late father, some funds were reportedly used to purchase gold in Myanmar.
The theft came to light on Jan 19, when the female employer noticed discrepancies in their bank account and questioned Phyu. The couple's daughter-in-law was subsequently informed and made a police report.
According to Shin Min Daily News, Phyu told the court that her mother had incurred significant debt from her father's medical treatment, and that she had acted out of desperation after repeated distressing phone calls from home.
She added that she regretted her actions and pleaded for leniency.
However, the court noted that Phyu had not made any restitution.
The male employer told Shin Min that he had first realised his ATM card was missing from his wallet, which led to the discovery of the unauthorised withdrawals.
"I didn't confront her directly. But I knew she had taken it. The police later questioned her and eventually took her away," he said, adding that the stolen card was never recovered.
The couple has since hired a new helper to assist with their daily needs.
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