Man involved in Chinatown heist of S$200,000 diamond using fake substitute gets jail

Two Indian nationals were arrested at Changi Airport on June 19, 2026, after attempting to flee Singapore following a meticulously planned theft of a diamond worth approximately S$200,000 (US$154,000) from a jewellery store in Singapore’s Chinatown. One of the suspects, Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, was sentenced to two years, two months, and two weeks in prison on July 17 after pleading guilty to one count of theft. His accomplice, Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, 30, faces trial later this month. Both men had traveled to Singapore on social passes and were apprehended before they could depart the country. The incident began when the pair visited Dianoche jewellery store in Kreta Ayer Road at around 3 p.m. on June 19. According to court documents, Serasiya had concealed a counterfeit diamond in his mouth, which matched the specifications and serial number of the target diamond, a 4.95-carat gem valued at US$154,000. Mangroliya engaged the store’s sales manager by requesting to view several items, drawing the manager away from the counter. During this distraction, Serasiya executed the switch, spitting out the fake diamond and replacing it with the real one, which he then swallowed. The exchange was recorded by the store’s closed-circuit television system. After the transaction, Mangroliya informed the sales manager that the pair would consider purchasing the diamond before leaving the store. Upon exiting, the manager used an optical gemstone identification machine to verify the authenticity of the stone and discovered it to be a counterfeit. Following the theft, the pair checked out of their hotel early and booked a flight back to India, scheduled to depart at 6:30 p.m. that evening. However, they were intercepted at Changi Airport Terminal 3 at approximately 8:50 p.m. while trying to clear immigration. Authorities recovered the genuine diamond from Serasiya’s haversack during the arrest. Mangroliya was charged the following day and has remained in custody since. During the sentencing hearing, State Prosecuting Officer Yip Cheng Yee emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, noting that the pair had traveled specifically to Singapore to commit the theft. She highlighted the level of planning involved, including the commissioning of a counterfeit diamond in Surat, India, to match the stolen gem’s characteristics. The prosecution did not seek a specific sentence, allowing the court to determine the appropriate penalty based on the circumstances. In mitigation, Mangroliya stated through an interpreter that he has two children in India and requested a lighter sentence. Under Singapore law, he faced a maximum potential sentence of seven years' imprisonment and a fine for theft committed in a building. The case has drawn attention due to the sophistication of the method employed, using a counterfeit diamond to mask the theft of a high-value item, and the fact that the perpetrators were identified and apprehended despite their efforts to evade detection. The store owner and staff had no prior knowledge of the plot, underscoring the effectiveness of the surveillance systems in place. Serasiya’s case will proceed separately, with a hearing set for a future date. The legal proceedings are expected to focus on whether he played an active role in the execution of the crime and whether additional charges should be brought against him. The outcome of his trial could influence the overall understanding of the collaboration between the two men. Authorities have not disclosed how the suspects obtained information about the diamond before arriving in Singapore. This detail remains under investigation. Meanwhile, the recovered diamond has been returned to the rightful owner, who has expressed gratitude for its safe recovery. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by security professionals in detecting sophisticated thefts involving high-value items. It also underscores the importance of technological safeguards such as CCTV monitoring and gemstone verification tools in preventing such crimes. The case is likely to be referenced in future discussions about retail security measures in Singapore.