S'porean man, 57, lied to lover that wife died, stole over S$930,000 of cash & jewellery, gets over 3 years' jail

A 57-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to three years and seven months' jail after he lied to his 54-year-old lover that his wife had died and stole over S$930,000 in money and jewellery.

Charge sheets seen by Mothership stated that Kong Jun Yi Jonathan faced a total of 11 charges, including deception, forgery, and theft.

He pleaded guilty to four charges on Aug. 5, with the remaining seven charges taken into consideration during sentencing.

Dating platform, lied that wife died

Lianhe Zaobao reported that Kong met his lover, the victim, through a dating platform in October 2020, and they began dating in the same month.

At the time, Kong lied to his lover that his wife had died and that he was a marine engineer at a company.

He was actually a fruit vendor and had a child with his wife, who is still alive.

Stole money

Charge sheets stated that in January 2021, he deceived her into believing that he needed money to pay for his mother's bank debt as a guarantor, after which she transferred S$250,000 to him.

In October 2021, he deceived her into believing that he needed money for an art business with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

She transferred S$250,000 to him.

In November 2021, Kong deceived his lover into believing that he needed money to pay for a painting project with the Housing Development Board (HDB).

She then transferred S$100,000 to him.

Zaobao reported that Kong used the money to buy fruit from a supplier instead.

Between December 2021 and October 2022, Kong deceived her into believing that he needed money for the ship repair business with the government.

His lover transferred S$164,193.58 to him.

Between February 2021 and October 2022, he deceived her into believing he needed money for daily expenses as his money had been held back by his company.

She then transferred S$105,940 to him.

Stole, pawned jewellery

Charge sheets stated that Kong also stole jewellery.

In April 2021, he stole six pieces of jewellery amounting to S$2,500 that belonged to his lover.

That same month, Kong stole 39 pieces of jewellery amounting to S$50,000 from his lover.

Zaobao reported that the jewellery belonged to his lover's 59-year-old sister and included gold bracelets, necklaces, and pendants.

After stealing the jewellery, Kong reportedly pawned it off at several pawnshops before spending its proceeds on household expenses.

Later in May 2021, he also took his lover's Rolex watch, worth S$15,000.

Forgery

In addition, Kong forged documents as well.

He forged a bank cheque for S$600,000.

According to Zaobao, Kong then apparently used a photo editing app on his phone to change the payee's name to his own.

He did so to convince his lover and her sister that his art business could earn him S$600,000.

Around Aug. 11, 2022, Kong forged a medical memo from Mount Elizabeth Hospital with the intent to commit fraud.

In the same month, he forged a Singapore identity card bearing his name and photograph.

Arrested

Following his offences, Kong was arrested on Jan. 22, 2026.

According to Zaobao, it was not stated how his crimes were uncovered.

Prior to this, he had a criminal record for fraud and theft, for which he had been jailed.

His lawyer said in a plea for leniency that Kong subsequently sold the house to repay the victim S$158,000 and cooperated with the police investigation.

Zaobao reported that the victim had also forgiven Kong's actions and pleaded with the judge for a lenient sentence.