Helper steals nearly $70k from elderly employer via 86 ATM transactions
An Indonesian helper has been jailed for stealing her 82-year-old employer's ATM cards and withdrawing nearly $70,000 of her savings over the course of a year.
According to Shin Min Daily News, 37-year-old Sairwi (transliterated) was sentenced to 14 months in jail on Nov 10. She had faced a total of five charges, including theft and breach of the Computer Misuse Act.
At the time of the offences, she was employed as a maid by the victim, and both of them lived in the same residence.
Victim had PINs pasted on her ATM cards
Court documents revealed that the victim kept two of her ATM cards in her wallet, along with a piece of paper with the PIN numbers pasted on it. Sairwi was aware of this.
As the victim's wallet was usually placed on a table at home, Sairwi stole the cards when the victim was not looking. She then went to an ATM at Block 151 Bishan Street 11 to withdraw money.
Investigations showed that between Dec 3, 2023 and April 14 this year, Sairwi made 86 withdrawals, amounting to a total of $69,600.
She was arrested on Oct 23 and charged the following day. It is unclear how her offences came to light.
Sairwi has yet to make restitution to the victim.
