SINGAPORE: Over four years, a domestic helper emptied her employer's safe of more than S$217,000 (US$168,000) in cash and jewellery, using the stolen proceeds to buy condominium units, cars and land in the Philippines.

Raguindin Alma Bassig, 47, a Philippine national, was sentenced to three years and two months' jail on Friday (Jul 17) after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by a servant.

Another three charges of a similar nature were taken into consideration for sentencing.

None of the stolen property has been recovered. Before the case concluded, the 54-year-old victim addressed the court, emotionally recounting her sense of betrayal.

District Judge Koo Zhi Xuan described the total amount stolen as "staggering" and said the offence warranted a deterrent sentence.

"The accused gravely abused the trust of her employer," the judge said, noting that Raguindin had worked for the family for almost 10 years and had been given unrestricted access to every room in the home.

The judge also noted that it was "highly uncertain" whether the stolen items could ever be recovered.

STOLE FROM SAFE OVER FOUR YEARS

According to court documents, the victim employed Raguindin from March 2016.

While working and residing in the family's home, Raguindin discovered that her employer kept a safe in an unlocked wardrobe in her bedroom.

She later found the key to the safe in a coat pocket inside the wardrobe.

After unlocking the safe, she found it contained various currencies and jewellery. She then decided to steal from it.

Between January and December 2022, when no one was home, Raguindin stole cash in euros, pounds and yen, together with jewellery, including multiple Van Cleef & Arpels pieces, gold jewellery, jade and silver items, worth a total of S$77,851.

When she returned to the Philippines for her leave, Raguindin brought the stolen cash and jewellery with her.

According to court documents, she converted the cash into Philippine pesos, while the jewellery was sold, pawned or kept at her home.

She then used the proceeds to buy condominium units, vehicles and farmland in the Philippines.

In June 2024, Raguindin stole again, taking a further S$84,469 in cash, gold jewellery, diamonds and jade from the safe, with the most expensive item being a princess-cut diamond jewellery set worth S$18,000.

As before, she brought the stolen items back to the Philippines during her leave, wher...