{
  "id": 3736223,
  "title": "Helper steals S$677 from S'pore employer, transfers it to boyfriend, he stands her up at airport for days",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/helper-steals-s-677-from-spore-employer-transfers-it-to-boyfriend-he",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T12:56:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/08/helper-steals-cash-employer-boyfriend/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Depi Lestari, a foreign domestic worker from Indonesia, was arrested in Singapore for stealing S$677 from her elderly employers. She then transferred most of the stolen money to her boyfriend in Indonesia and waited for him at Changi Airport, promising to meet and return the money. Lestari was eventually caught at HarbourFront Centre, attempting to board a ferry to Batam. She pleaded guilty to the theft on August 25 and received a four-week sentence, starting from the date of her arrest. The theft occurred around 7am on July 8, when the 70-year-old couple she worked for were asleep. Lestari unlocked the male employer's briefcase, took his wallet, and stole S$677 in cash. She also took the couple's identity documents before leaving the house. When the female employer awoke at 8:30am, she discovered both the money and Lestari's absence. She immediately reported the theft to the police. Lestari converted S$654 of the stolen cash to Indonesian rupiah and transferred the money to her boyfriend's bank account. She spent the remaining cash on her own. At the airport, she waited for her boyfriend, who failed to show up for several days. After he instructed her to take a ferry to Batam, she was arrested by the police. During the court proceedings, Lestari expressed remorse for her actions, claiming that she had stolen from her employers due to financial pressure. She pleaded for leniency from the judge, who noted her betrayal of trust and lack of restitution.",
  "summary": "She was arrested at HarbourFront Centre where she tried to take a ferry to Batam.",
  "key_points": [
    "Indonesian domestic worker Depi Lestari steals S$677 from elderly Singaporean employers",
    "Lestari transfers most stolen money to boyfriend in Indonesia, waits at Changi Airport",
    "Lestari arrested at HarbourFront Centre, pleads guilty, receives four-week sentence"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}