Diamond smile: Singapore jails Indian man for gem in mouth theft

A Singapore court has sentenced an Indian tourist to more than two years in prison for a brazen attempt to steal a $154,000 diamond by concealing it in his accomplice's mouth. The elaborate scheme unfolded on June 19 when Mangroliya Manojkumar Kurjibhai, 41, and his partner visited a jewelry store in Chinatown. While Kurjibhai distracted the shop manager, his accomplice, Serasiya Ramnikbhai, allegedly swapped the 4.95-carat diamond with a counterfeit he had hidden in his mouth.

The duo left the store without making a purchase, with Ramnikbhai carrying the valuable gem. However, their plan was foiled by surveillance cameras, and both men were apprehended at the airport later that day. The stolen diamond was later recovered from their luggage. Kurjibhai pleaded guilty and received a sentence of two years, two months, and two weeks. Ramnikbhai remains in custody awaiting his hearing.

Reports suggest the pair had a counterfeit diamond, made in India to match the original's specifications, prepared before their trip. The method by which they obtained the original diamond's details remains unclear. This incident follows a separate high-value theft earlier this month at the Lalique museum in France, where jewelry worth millions of euros was stolen.