Jurong West Minimart Cashier Jailed for Stealing S$57,000 to Fund Online Gambling Habit
Sales Drop Unmasked a Hidden Crime Spree
What initially appeared to be a dip in business at a Jurong West minimart turned out to be a months-long theft carried out by an employee. Kon Chin Sia, a 37-year-old Malaysian working as a cashier, was sentenced to 17 months in jail after being found guilty of stealing nearly S$57,000 from Li Li Cheng Minimart.
The theft went unnoticed for months, beginning in April 2024, until the store manager started noticing a recurring pattern — significant daily cash shortfalls, but only when Kon was on duty. Suspicions grew as deficits of S$600 to S$700 repeatedly appeared in the till after her shifts, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Caught on CCTV: Voiding Transactions to Cover Theft
Between 30 September and 27 October 2024, the manager reviewed CCTV footage and discovered Kon’s elaborate method. After accepting payments from customers and giving them their change, she would leave the cash drawer open, subtly taking money and storing it in a nearby compartment. At the end of her shift, she would pocket the cash and void the transactions to avoid detection.
When confronted, Kon admitted she had been stealing almost daily, often pocketing S$500 to S$600 per shift. Rather than making restitution when offered the chance, she continued her deception until police were called on 20 December 2024. She was then fired.
Gambled Away Every Dollar, Made No Restitution
Investigations revealed that from 1 April to 27 October 2024, Kon deposited S$56,797 — all misappropriated from the minimart — into her bank account via ATM. Prosecutors told the court that she had used most of the stolen funds for online gambling and had not returned a single cent to her former employer.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joseph Gwee stated that the crime involved a high degree of premeditation and abuse of trust. Kon was charged with criminal breach of trust and an additional gambling-related offence, which was considered during sentencing.
For criminal breach of trust, she could have faced up to 15 years’ jail and a fine. However, because the charge was amalgamated under Section 124(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, she was liable for double the jail term. Ultimately, she was sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment on 14 July 2025.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for businesses to remain vigilant, especially when handling cash-heavy operations vulnerable to employee theft — a threat that could quietly drain profits without immediate warning.