Post by : Bianca
Haleem
In Singapore, a court has handed a 41-year-old Indian national a prison term of two years, two months, and two weeks for conspiring to swipe a 4.95-carat diamond valued at about SGD200,000 (around USD154,000) from a Chinatown jewellery outlet.
Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai admitted to one count of theft on July 17, 2026. His accomplice, 30-year-old Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, is embroiled in a separate ongoing case with his court hearing approaching this Friday.
Counterfeit Diamond Exchange Scheme in Singapore
Court records detail that both individuals arrived in Singapore with a premeditated plan to switch a legitimate diamond with a duplicate made to mimic the original.
The counterfeit stone had been crafted in Surat, India, precisely matching the original’s details before their journey. They entered Singapore utilizing social visit passes after connecting through a common acquaintance.
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Their target was a unique 4.95-carat diamond exhibited at the Dianoche store in Chinatown.
The Execution of Their Diamond Theft Attempt
On June 19, 2026, around 3 PM, the duo visited the jewellery store under the pretense of examining the gemstone.
Unbeknownst to the store’s sales manager, Mangroliya kept him occupied by requesting various jewellery items while Milan supposedly swapped the diamonds.
Concealed in his mouth, Milan exchanged the genuine diamond for the fake one, hiding the real stone before exiting the store.
However, their scheme was captured entirely on the store’s CCTV.
Once the sales manager scrutinized the diamond with an optical identification tool, the exchange was uncovered.
Arrest Made at Changi Airport
After the incident, the pair returned to their hotel, cut their stay short, and arranged a flight back to India.
They were apprehended around 8:50 PM at Changi Airport Terminal 3 while attempting to clear departure.
The police retrieved the stolen diamond from Milan's backpack.
Mangroliya was taken into custody on June 20, 2026, and remained detained until his court date.
Court Emphasizes The Calculated Nature of the Theft
During the sentencing, Prosecutor Yip Cheng Yee underscored the elaborate planning behind the crime.
The prosecution highlighted that the accused traveled specifically to Singapore to commit the crime, had previously orchestrated the creation of a counterfeit diamond, and collaborated to evade capture.
"This crime was premeditated and involved significant planning," the prosecution stated, based on the reports.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mangroliya appealed for a lighter sentence due to his two children in India.
Singaporean law stipulates that theft in a building can lead to a sentence of up to seven years and/or a fine.
Milan Ramnikbhai's case remains active and will be adjudicated separately.
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