A former sales executive at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery in Bugis Junction, Singapore, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after stealing 20 gold plates valued at over $124,000 and $20,000 in cash from his employer.
The theft, committed in June 2024, was linked to the employee’s gambling addiction and debts to both licensed and unlicensed moneylenders.
Incident Details
Jacky Tan Jun Jia, 34, took advantage of his access to the store’s office and safe. On the morning of 18 June 2024, Tan reported for work and noticed the office safe was open. Later that afternoon, citing illness, he requested to work in the office and was tasked with stocktaking. At around 5:20pm, he removed the gold plates and cash, placing them in his pockets and bag. CCTV footage recorded the theft before he left the store.
He then took a taxi to a pawnshop in Bedok North, where he pawned 10 gold plates for nearly $48,000. He later claimed to have used approximately $68,000 to repay his debts and handed the remaining 10 gold plates to an unlicensed moneylender known as “Ah Wee.”
Discovery and Arrest
The theft was discovered at approximately 7:30pm when store employees realised the gold plates and cash were missing. The assistant manager reported the incident to the police.
Shortly before 9pm, Tan admitted his actions in a text message to the assistant manager before switching off his phone and disposing of it near Bedok North Road. He also informed his brother of the crime and stated that he would be unreachable.
Tan later turned himself in to the police and was arrested at around 10:15pm. Authorities recovered $3,000 in cash from him and retrieved the 10 pawned gold plates from the pawnshop. However, court documents did not specify the whereabouts of the other 10 gold plates.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the trial, Deputy Public Prosecutor Claire Poh outlined Tan’s gambling-related debts and financial difficulties, which led to the offence. His defence lawyers, Sarbrinder Singh and Nicholas Say from Sanders Law, requested a sentence of up to 18 months, citing pressure from illegal moneylenders. They also stated that Tan had cooperated fully with authorities and expressed remorse.
On 14 March 2025, Tan was sentenced to 20 months in jail. His bail was set at $20,000, and he is expected to begin serving his sentence on 28 March.
Security Considerations for Jewellers
This case demonstrates the risks of internal theft in jewellery retail. While surveillance footage contributed to resolving the case, the incident raises concerns about access control and inventory security.
Jewellery businesses may wish to assess their existing security measures, such as safe access policies and employee oversight procedures, to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. The case also highlights financial pressures that some employees may face, which can sometimes lead to workplace theft. Monitoring for signs of financial distress among staff may help identify potential risks early.
