Domestic helper jailed for stealing S$210,000 from employer, bought condo units & cars in Philippines

A domestic helper from the Philippines stole around S$217,000 worth of cash and jewellery from her Singapore employer's family over a period of four years.

She emptied their safe, sold the items in the Philippines and used the ill-gotten proceeds to buy condominium units, cars, and farmland.

On Jul. 17, Raguindin Alma Bassig, 47, was sentenced to three years and two months' jail after pleading guilty to two counts of theft by a servant.

According to Shin Min Daily News, three charges of a similar nature were also taken into consideration for sentencing.

District Judge Koo Zhi Xuan called the total amount stolen "staggering" and noted that it was "highly uncertain" that the stolen items could ever be recovered, reported CNA.

No restitution has been made.

Worked for the family for more than 10 years

Raguindin had worked for the family for more than a decade, having been employed by her 54-year-old employer since March 2016.

According to Shin Min, Raguindin was responsible for the household chores for the family of four, giving her unrestricted access to all rooms in the landed property.

This included her employer's bedroom, which contained a safe in an unlocked wardrobe.

Stole cash and jewellery worth S$77,851

In 2022, Raguindin found three keys in a coat pocket inside the wardrobe, reported CNA.

She used the keys to unlock the safe and found it contained various currencies and jewellery.

Between January and December 2022, Raguindin stole cash in euros, pounds and yen.

She also stole jewellery, including multiple Van Cleef & Arpels and Bulgari pieces, gold, jade and silver items, worth a total of S$77,851.

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

Converted cash into pesos, pawned jewellery

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

She used the ill-gotten proceeds to purchase the condominium units, vehicles and farmland in the Philippines.

In June 2024, Raguindin stole again.

According to Shin Min, the items Raguindin took included: 

• Cash in Malaysian Ringgit and Vietnamese Dong
• 12 gold bracelets
• Two 24k gold necklaces
• A set of diamond jewellery
• Two 999 pure gold coins
• Several other gold jewellery pieces

The most expensive item was a princess-cut diamond jewellery set worth S$18,000, reported CNA.

She did the same as before and brought the stolen items back, using the proceeds to purchase more property, vehicles and farmland.

Thefts undetected till November 2025

The thefts went undetected until November 2025, when the victim noticed items missing from the safe but assumed it had been misplaced.

On May 27, 2026, the victim installed a motion-sensor camera in her bedroom and was alerted to movement two days later.

Raguindin was seen opening the safe and removing items, prompting the victim to lodge a police report that evening.

The domestic helper was arrested after midnight the following day.

Victim addresses court, speaks of betrayal

According to CNA, the victim who was present was invited to address the court.

She said she felt deeply betrayed by Raguindin, whom she employed for more than a decade.

The victim called herself "foolish" for trusting her former domestic worker.

"When I saw her opening my safe, my heart was broken. I cannot believe she was doing this to me."

She said she allowed Raguindin to return to the Philippines every year while paying for her air ticket.

This was instead of every two years as required under their agreement, because Raguindin's children were young.

"Shame on you Alma!"

The victim also disputed that the thefts were motivated by financial hardship as the stolen proceeds were used for luxury purchases.

She added that Raguindin's sister had told her that Raguindin did not send money to their mother.

She noted that some of the stolen jewellery had significant sentimental value, including pieces inherited from her mother-in-law when she and her husband got married, reported Shin Min.

According to CNA, at one point, the victim shouted "shame on you, Alma!" at Raguindin, who appeared via video link.

Borrowed from loansharks

According to Shin Min, Raguindin received a monthly salary of S$1,200 and an annual bonus of S$2,000 from the victim.

However, she also borrowed money from other maids and loansharks.

Shinmin reported that upon Raguindin's arrest, debt collectors harassed the victim, claiming that the defendant borrowed hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Raguindin said she had nothing

Through an interpreter, Raguindin said she had nothing when asked by the judge how much she had with her currently.

The prosecution said it would not seek a compensation order but would consider a separate confiscation order to help the victim.

The judge said the court could not order compensation if an accused person lacked the means to pay.

He added that the court lacked the power to issue the letter the victim sought to use to recover her possessions, but added that the victim was free to pursue civil action.

Penalties

For theft by a servant, an offender can face up to seven years' jail and a fine.