1-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) Micmic Cyndy, a 34-year-old Filipino national working as a domestic helper in Singapore, has been sentenced to six weeks in jail for dishonest misappropriation. Cyndy received a sum of more than S$17,000 in her POSB savings account from Tokio Marine Life Insurance Singapore, which was meant for someone else’s medical claims.
The investigation revealed that the insurance company had mistakenly transferred the funds to Cyndy’s account instead of the rightful recipient. The total amount of S$17,151.69 was paid to Cyndy over five different dates between June 8, 2023, and July 27, 2023, with the first payment being the highest at S$15,499.73.
Despite knowing that the money did not belong to her and that it was transferred erroneously, Cyndy proceeded to withdraw S$15,560.35 from her account. She spent the misappropriated funds on personal expenses, including a trip to her hometown in the Philippines between June 29, 2023, and July 7, 2023.
DBS Bank later contacted Cyndy in August 2023, requesting the return of the deposited amount. Cyndy agreed to return the remaining unspent sum of S$1,591.34 to the rightful owner. However, she did not make restitution for the remainder of the misappropriated funds.
Tokio Marine Life Insurance Singapore filed a police report after unsuccessful attempts to recover the remaining amount. The prosecutor sought a jail term for Cyndy, highlighting the significant amount of S$15,560.35 that was dishonestly misappropriated without any restitution made.
Under the offense of dishonest misappropriation, an offender can face imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both. The court, considering the circumstances, sentenced Cyndy to six weeks’ jail for her actions.
