Singapore, July 21: A Singapore court has sentenced two Indian nationals to prison for stealing a valuable diamond from a jewellery store in Chinatown by allegedly swapping it with a fake stone during a planned theft.
The stolen diamond, valued at around SGD 1.5 million, was recovered before the suspects could leave the country.
Diamond Recovered at Changi Airport
According to reports, Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the theft. His accomplice, Serasia Milan Ramnikbhai, 30, was also convicted in the case.
Investigators said the accused allegedly carried a fake 4.95 carat diamond, manufactured in Surat, India, to Singapore as part of the plan.
At the jewellery store, the suspects reportedly distracted the staff before replacing the genuine diamond with the fake one. One of the accused allegedly concealed the real diamond while carrying out the swap.
The theft came to light after store employees discovered the original diamond was missing and alerted the police.
The two men were arrested while awaiting immigration clearance at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on July 19.
Police recovered the stolen diamond from Milan’s leather bag before the pair could board their flight. The local court subsequently convicted both men and imposed prison sentences.
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