Jail for maid who stole and emptied bank account of 83-year-old employer with dementia

SINGAPORE: A woman hired to take care of an elderly man suffering from dementia stole from him 36 times within a span of nine months.

On July 18, Indonesian national Sriatun, 45, was sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty to one charge for theft as a servant. Another similar charge was taken into consideration for her sentencing.

State Prosecuting Officer Lim Yeow Leong said Sriatun, who was hired by the victim’s son, had been taking care of the elderly man for two years when she was caught.

The victim was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. At the time, Sriatun lived with him and his wife, both of whom were retired.

Sriatun had become aware of the victim’s automated teller machine personal identification number for his POSB bank account during her employment.

Seeking a jail term of between 10 and 12 months, SPO Lim said Sriatun had shown a high degree of premeditation and planning as she had stolen his card on 19 separate occasions.

After each time, she would return the card to his wallet to avoid detection.

In total, she made 36 withdrawals amounting to more than $28,000. By the time she was caught, the 83-year-old man only had a balance of $47.19 left.

Her actions only came to light in November 2023, when the victim’s son chanced upon a letter of demand from the Town Council relating to the outstanding service and conservancy charges when he was at the victim’s flat.

Feeling something was amiss as the payments were usually made through GIRO, he updated his father’s bank book. He made a police report after seeing the multiple withdrawals.

SPO Lim said Sriatun claimed to have remitted $11,000 to her family in Indonesia. She said she spent the remaining sum, amounting to more than $17,000, on her personal expenses.

No restitution has been made to the victim.

As he was reading out his sentence, District Judge Tan Jen Tse said Sriatun’s conduct called for a sentence for deterrence.

“The victim was vulnerable. He was aged and suffered from dementia. You have taken a large amount of money from him, essentially depleting his bank account,” the district judge said, adding that one year in jail would be appropriate.

Sriatun, who is in remand, appeared via video link, was seen wiping away her tears at this point.

Those who steal from an employer in the capacity of a clerk or servant can be jailed for up to seven years and fined. - The Straits Times/ANN