A 32-year-old Filipina maid, Jennifer Lamboson, stole from her Singapore employer and was caught before stealing again from her roommate at a shelter along Chin Cheng Avenue, according to The Straits Times.
She pleaded guilty to 2 counts of theft and was sentenced to 13 weeks imprisonment on 31 August.
The Beginning: Employment and Theft
In February 2020, Jennifer Lamboson commenced her employment as a domestic helper for a 46-year-old woman. Her responsibilities included taking care of the employer’s daughter.
However, as time passed, Lamboson’s financial difficulties led her down a path of deception. In February 2022, she stole $550 worth of jewelry from her employer, including a gold ring and pendant. She proceeded to pawn these items at various pawnshops, hoping to alleviate her financial woes.
Unveiling the Missing Valuables
Seven months later, the employer noticed the absence of her valuables and confronted Lamboson. In a classic denial tactic, Lamboson refuted any involvement in the disappearance of the items.
Suspicion grew, and the employer decided to take matters into her own hands. On October 11, 2022, she received a text message from a licensed moneylending firm inquiring about Lamboson’s employment status.
Puzzled by this unexpected message, the employer decided to involve the police, sensing that something was amiss.
The Confession and Recovery
In a police interview on January 9, 2023, Jennifer Lamboson finally confessed to her crimes. Officers managed to recover the stolen gold ring at a pawnshop, a crucial piece of evidence against her.
Although the court documents do not reveal the subsequent events, it is evident that Lamboson’s life was about to take another unexpected turn.
A Shelter’s Dark Secret
Lamboson ended up at a shelter operated by the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (Fast). This establishment was meant to provide refuge and support for individuals in need.
On the evening of July 18, 2023, while assisting her 47-year-old roommate in making a bed, Lamboson stumbled upon her roommate’s valuables in a bag. The temptation proved too great, and she stole two rings and a necklace.
Three hours later, the roommate discovered her missing jewelry. Lamboson, without her work permit and passport, sought the help of a 50-year-old domestic helper on July 20.
She convinced the unsuspecting woman to pawn the stolen items on her behalf, claiming that they belonged to her. This deception led to the jewelry being pawned at two pawnshops in Bishan.
On July 24, the roommate reported the theft to the police. Lamboson’s confession followed during her interrogation on the next day. Authorities promptly arrested her, leading to the recovery of all the stolen jewelry from the pawnshops and the 50-year-old woman.