SINGAPORE: An Indian tourist has been jailed for more than two years in Singapore for his role in a sophisticated diamond theft that was foiled within hours.
Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a June 19 heist at a Chinatown jewellery store, where he and an accomplice attempted to steal a 4.95-carat diamond worth $154,000. The pair were arrested at the Changi airport later that day, with the stolen gem recovered from their possession.
The perfect plan that wasn’t
Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and his accomplice Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, 30, walked into a jewellery store in Chinatown with a carefully crafted plan. Their target: a 4.95-carat diamond worth $154,000.
A Singapore court sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in jail over a failed bid to steal a diamond by hiding it in his accomplice’s mouth.https://t.co/51qiidKHJZ
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) July 21, 2026
According to court documents, Mangroliya distracted the shop manager while Serasiya allegedly swapped the real diamond with a fake hidden in his mouth. The two men then calmly left the store without purchasing anything, the real gem now concealed in Serasiya’s mouth.
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The plan had been months in the making. The pair had reportedly arranged for a counterfeit diamond, matching the real gem’s specifications and serial number, to be made in India before travelling to Singapore. How they obtained the diamond’s details in advance remains unclear.
A swift end to the scheme
But the perfect crime was anything but. Surveillance cameras captured every move, and authorities were alerted. Later that day, as the pair attempted to flee Singapore, they were arrested at the airport, with the stolen diamond recovered from one of their bags.
Mangroliya pleaded guilty last week and was sentenced to two years, two months and two weeks in jail. Serasiya remains in remand, scheduled for a hearing on Friday.
Singapore court hands jail term to Indian national in diamond theft case, partner due in court Fridayhttps://t.co/KH0VLptMwn
— The Telegraph (@ttindia) July 21, 2026
Separate heist in France
The Singapore diamond theft comes amid a spate of high-value jewellery crimes globally. Earlier this month, jewellery worth millions of euros was stolen in a burglary at the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique in Wingen-sur-Moder, northeastern France.
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Around twenty pieces of jewellery were stolen, with losses estimated at close to four million euros. An alarm was triggered, but by the time security completed their checks, it was a cleaning lady who arrived first and called the police. CCTV footage is currently being examined, and the museum has been closed for several days.
A Singapore court sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in jail over a failed bid to steal a diamond by hiding it in his accomplice’s mouth. pic.twitter.com/CgZRRidehM
— Pakistan TV Digital (@PakistanTVcom) July 21, 2026
A warning to would-be thieves
Singapore has long been known for its strict laws and swift justice. The failed diamond heist serves as yet another reminder that crime in the city-state rarely pays.
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For Mangroliya, what began as a meticulously planned operation ended in a Singapore courtroom, and nearly two and a half years behind bars.
