21-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 50-year-old nurse aide has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for defrauding colleagues of nearly S$10,000 in a series of elaborate scams, marking his second conviction for similar offences.
Yari Rawi, who appeared before Principal District Judge Toh Han Li, admitted to deceiving multiple healthcare workers, including a 68-year-old social worker and a 64-year-old caregiver, while working at various healthcare facilities.
The court heard how Rawi targeted his victims between October 2020 and February 2021, fabricating stories about funeral expenses and family medical emergencies to secure loans. In one instance, he convinced a colleague to invest S$4,400 in a fictitious luxury handbag scheme, claiming connections with Japanese suppliers of Maison Goyard products.
These offences occurred shortly after his release from a previous prison term for similar fraudulent activities, and whilst under investigation for other matters. When confronted about his swift return to criminal behaviour, Rawi cited mounting pressure from loan sharks and employment difficulties due to his criminal record.
Defence counsel Danny Nah highlighted Rawi’s recent achievements in nursing studies at the Institute of Technical Education, where he had earned recognition for academic excellence. The defence sought a 22-month sentence, while prosecution pushed for a substantially longer term of up to four years and five months.
Judge Toh questioned the prosecution’s recommended sentence, noting the significant jump from Rawi’s previous five-month imprisonment in 2020. While acknowledging Rawi’s full restitution to victims, the judge determined that a deterrent sentence was necessary given his repeat offending.
The court granted Rawi’s request to defer his sentence until January, allowing him time to inform the Ministry of Health of his conviction, as he is currently under bond with the ministry. He remains on S$15,000 bail until then.
