Posted: 10 December 2010 1708 hrs
SINGAPORE : Police have arrested a 38-year-old man
who is believed to be involved in several cases of cheating where
genuine diamonds were swapped with fake ones at goldsmith
shops.
The suspect would patronise a busy goldsmith shop and lead the
sales attendant into believing that he wanted to buy a one-carat
diamond.
He would then examine the diamond and take the opportunity to swap
the genuine diamond with a replica crystal once the shop attendant
looked away or attended to other customers.
He would then leave the shop, claiming that he needed more time to
consider.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday at Yio Chu Kang MRT
station.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is believed to
be involved in at least four other similar cases.
The suspect will be charged in court on Saturday.
If convicted, he faces imprisonment of up to 10 years and liable to
be caned.
- CNA /ls
