A 47-year-old Filipino domestic helper has been sentenced to three years and two months’ jail after stealing more than S$210,000 worth of cash and jewellery from her employer over several years.
The helper, identified as Raguindin Alma Bassig, admitted to two charges of theft by a servant, with three similar charges taken into consideration during sentencing.
The case shocked the court as the offences involved a domestic worker who had been employed by the same Singapore family for more than a decade and had earned their complete trust.
Trusted Employee Had Unrestricted Access To Family Home
According to Shin Min Daily News, Court proceedings revealed that Raguindin had been working for the family since March 2016, taking care of household chores for a family of four living in a landed property.
Because of her long service, she was allowed unrestricted access throughout the house, including her employer’s bedroom where a safe was kept inside an unlocked wardrobe.
In 2022, she discovered keys hidden inside a coat pocket and used them to unlock the safe.
Over the course of that year, she allegedly removed cash in several foreign currencies, including euros, British pounds and Japanese yen, along with luxury jewellery worth approximately S$77,851.
The stolen collection reportedly included branded jewellery from Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari, as well as gold, jade and silver pieces.
Stolen Assets Used To Buy Property And Vehicles
Investigations found that Raguindin brought the stolen cash and jewellery back to the Philippines during her home leave.
She converted the foreign currency into Philippine pesos, while the jewellery was sold, pawned or kept.
Authorities said the proceeds were used to purchase condominium units, vehicles and farmland in the Philippines.
Despite already taking a substantial amount in 2022, she allegedly returned to the safe again in June 2024.
Among the items stolen during the second round were:
- Cash in Malaysian Ringgit and Vietnamese Dong
- Twelve gold bracelets
- Two 24-carat gold necklaces
- A princess-cut diamond jewellery set valued at around S$18,000
- Two 999 pure gold coins
- Several other gold jewellery pieces
These items were also allegedly transported overseas and converted into assets.
Theft Discovered Only After Hidden Camera Installed
The thefts remained unnoticed until November 2025, when the employer realised some valuables appeared to be missing but initially believed they had simply been misplaced.
Suspecting something was wrong months later, she installed a motion-activated camera in her bedroom on May 27, 2026.
Just two days later, the camera captured the helper opening the safe and removing more valuables.
The employer immediately lodged a police report, leading to Raguindin’s arrest shortly after midnight the following day.
The total value of cash and jewellery stolen over the years amounted to around S$217,000.
Employer Speaks Of Deep Betrayal In Court
During sentencing, the victim addressed the court and described feeling devastated by the betrayal.
She said she had trusted the domestic helper completely after employing her for more than ten years.
According to the victim, she even allowed Raguindin to return to the Philippines every year instead of once every two years as required under their employment agreement, while also paying for her airfare so she could spend more time with her young children.
The employer rejected suggestions that financial hardship motivated the thefts, pointing out that the money was instead used to purchase luxury assets such as condominiums and vehicles.
She also revealed that some of the stolen jewellery carried sentimental value, including family heirlooms inherited from her mother-in-law.
At one point during the hearing, she shouted, “Shame on you, Alma!”, while the accused appeared via video link.
Loanshark Debts And No Compensation Yet
Court documents also revealed that despite receiving a monthly salary of S$1,200 and an annual bonus of S$2,000, Raguindin had accumulated debts after borrowing money from fellow domestic workers and loansharks.
Following her arrest, debt collectors reportedly contacted the employer seeking repayment for loans taken by the helper.
When asked by the judge about her financial situation, Raguindin said she had no money left.
The prosecution did not seek a compensation order because of her inability to repay the losses. However, prosecutors indicated they may pursue separate confiscation proceedings to recover assets purchased with the stolen funds.
The presiding judge described the amount stolen as “staggering” and noted that recovering the missing cash and jewellery would be highly uncertain.
Under Singapore law, theft by a servant carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News