A 27-year-old domestic helper in Singapore has been sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment after taking approximately S$17,000 from her employer’s children and using the money for online gambling activities.
The helper, identified as Mai Aye Su Naing, pleaded guilty in court to multiple theft-related offences. The incidents took place while she was employed by a family residing in the Queen Astrid Park area.
Investigations revealed that Mai began working for the household in March 2025. Earlier this year, she reportedly came across an online slot machine game through social media and became interested in participating. To continue playing, she needed to top up her account using Myanmar currency.
Multiple Thefts Carried Out Over Several Weeks
According to court proceedings, Mai discovered a blue box containing cash and a key inside one of the children’s rooms. After using the key to access the box, she took S$1,000 and later converted the money into Myanmar currency through an acquaintance.
The funds were subsequently deposited into her gaming account. However, after losing the money, she returned to take additional cash from the same location in an attempt to recover her losses.
Over the following weeks, Mai repeatedly removed money from the household. She also found several red packets containing cash and allegedly took most of the money while leaving small amounts behind in an effort to avoid attracting attention.
Court documents showed that the total amount taken from the children eventually reached S$17,000.
Despite claiming that she had won money on several occasions through the online platform, Mai told investigators that she was never able to withdraw any of her winnings. She further claimed that her gambling account was eventually frozen.
Missing Cash Discovered By Children
The matter came to light on Feb. 27 when the employer’s children, aged 11 and 12, realised that their savings were missing. After being questioned by the children’s mother, Mai admitted to taking the money.
Police were subsequently informed and she was arrested.
During sentencing, prosecutors highlighted that the offences were premeditated and carried out repeatedly over a period of about one month. They also pointed out that Mai had abused the trust placed in her by members of the household and had not made any restitution for the losses suffered.
Mai pleaded for a lighter sentence, expressing remorse for her actions and stating that she hoped to apologise personally to her employer’s family. She also cited financial hardship faced by her family in Myanmar and said she wished to return home after completing her jail term.
The court ultimately sentenced her to 10 months’ imprisonment.