Indonesian Maid Jailed After Stealing More Than S$56,000 From 82-Year-Old Employer To Fund Online Gambling
An Indonesian domestic helper has been sentenced to one year in jail after stealing more than S$56,000 from her elderly employer over several months to finance her online gambling habit.
The 28-year-old helper admitted to committing theft on multiple occasions between October 2025 and May 2026 while working in the home of an 82-year-old woman. She pleaded guilty in court to one charge of theft, with numerous similar offences taken into consideration during sentencing.
According to court proceedings, the helper was employed to look after the elderly woman’s daily needs before taking advantage of the trust placed in her.
Memorised ATM PIN Before Carrying Out Thefts
The court heard that the helper memorised her employer’s ATM PIN in October 2025 while assisting the elderly woman with withdrawing money using her debit card.
According to Shin Min Daily News, After developing an addiction to online gambling, she allegedly devised a plan to obtain money by secretly accessing her employer’s bank accounts.
Over the next eight months, she reportedly removed the victim’s ATM card from her handbag on at least 57 occasions while the elderly woman was either asleep or watching television.
She would then travel to ATMs near Tiong Bahru MRT station, where she withdrew between S$500 and S$1,000 during each visit without her employer’s knowledge.
More Than S$56,000 Withdrawn Over Eight Months
When funds in the victim’s personal bank account became insufficient, the helper transferred money from a joint account held by the elderly woman and her son into the personal account before making further withdrawals.
In total, she stole S$56,071.71 over the eight-month period.
The court heard that the money was first transferred into her own bank account before being remitted to an Indonesian bank account through a money transfer service.
The funds were subsequently used to top up an online gambling account, where the entire amount was eventually lost.
Suspicious Transactions Led To Discovery
The offences came to light on May 12, 2026, when the victim’s son noticed suspicious transactions involving the joint bank account.
After checking with the bank, he discovered multiple unauthorised transfers and cash withdrawals. He confronted the domestic helper the following day, during which she admitted to taking the money.
A police report was lodged shortly afterwards, leading to her arrest.
Investigators managed to recover S$2,400 from the stolen funds, which has since been returned to the victim. However, the remaining losses have yet to be fully repaid.
The 28-year-old was subsequently sentenced to one year in jail for the offences.