Two Indian nationals planned and carried out the theft of a 4.95-carat diamond valued at about US$154,000 (over S$199,000) from Dianoche jewellery store in Chinatown, Singapore on June 19, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and Serasiya Milan Ramnikbhai, 30, entered Singapore on social passes that day [1, 2, 3, 4].
They commissioned a counterfeit diamond in India that matched the real stone's specifications and serial number. At around 3 p.m. inside the store, Serasiya hid the fake diamond in his mouth, spat it out to swap it with the genuine gem, then concealed the stolen diamond inside his mouth as Mangroliya distracted the sales manager [1, 2, 3, 4]. State Prosecuting Officer Yip Cheng Yee explained, "Mangroliya told Serasiya to make the swop and the latter spat out the fake diamond. Serasiya took the real one and hid it in his mouth." [1]
CCTV footage clearly captured their actions. The substituted diamond was confirmed as counterfeit through testing on an optical gemstone machine by the sales manager [1, 2, 3, 4]. After the theft, the pair checked out of their hotel early and booked flights back to India for the same evening [1, 2, 3, 4].
Singapore authorities arrested them at Changi Airport Terminal 3 around 8:50 to 9 p.m. while they were trying to clear immigration and leave the country [1, 2, 3, 4]. Mangroliya pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced on July 17, 2026, to two years, two months and two weeks in jail [1, 2, 3, 4]. Serasiya's case is pending with a hearing scheduled for July 24, 2026, a Friday [4].
The diamond theft carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and a possible fine under Singapore law [1, 2, 3].
