S'pore man's wallet stolen at Chinatown MRT. Guess culprit nationality

[rocket]

S'pore man's wallet stolen at Chinatown MRT, catches alleged thief after she spends S$88 on 'bak kwa'​

Caught.

A man whose wallet was recently stolen at Chinatown MRT station managed to personally apprehend an alleged thief after he caught her with two bags of dried meat or "bak kwa" that she purportedly bought using cards from his wallet.

The victim, Gao, told Shin Min Daily News that around 4pm on Feb. 21, 2026, he placed his phone and crossbody bag near a socket in the station.

He then left to buy something after charging his phone and returned to find a staff member holding his umbrella.

The 45-year-old facilities manager was told that a "kind person" had taken his belongings to the control room, and he went ahead to board the train after retrieving them.

Stolen​

"But when I got to Clarke Quay station, I discovered that my wallet, which I had put in my crossbody bag, was gone," said Gao, who immediately returned to Chinatown MRT station to notify staff and call the police.

Upon reviewing surveillance footage, the police suspected that the person who took Gao's wallet was the "kind person" who had handed his belongings to the staff.

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However, since footage did not directly capture the moment Gao's wallet was stolen, the authorities needed to investigate.

Bank transactions​

Just as he was about to leave and wait for news from the authorities, Gao received bank notifications of two transactions (S$66.60 and S$22.20) on his card.

Photo via Shin Min Daily News


Both transactions were made at Lim Chee Guan, known for selling "bak kwa" and located near Chinatown MRT station, according to Google Maps.

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Since Gao had previously seen the woman while the police were reviewing surveillance footage, he set out for the shop to see if he could catch her.

Caught​

As soon as he got on the escalator, he saw a woman carrying two bags of dried meat coming down the escalator.

Gao said he recognised the woman, adding that he called the police as he ran.

He then grabbed the woman's hands and waited for the police to arrive at the station.

According to Gao, his wallet contained S$60 in cash, bank cards, an ID card, a driver's licence, and a house key.

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He added that though it was his fault for leaving his belongings at the station, "Singapore has always been very safe" with "so many CCTV cameras" at the station.

"I never thought that someone would actually steal things," said Gao.

Claimed to be unwell​

Shin Min reported that after the woman was arrested, she begged Gao to let her go and claimed to have a heart condition.

The woman kept apologising, said Gao, adding that she kept saying that she was unwell, needed surgery, and had heart problems.

According to Shin Min, the woman reportedly claimed to be unwell after the police arrived, which led to medical personnel being dispatched.

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Responding to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving a call for assistance at about 7:10 pm on Feb. 21, 2026, at 91 Upper Cross Street, which is the address of Chinatown MRT Station (DT19).

SCDF assessed a person who declined to be sent to the hospital.

A Shin Min reader said he saw three or four police officers talking to a man while passing by Chinatown MRT station at around 8pm on Feb. 21, as well as medical staff entering and leaving the control centre.

The woman was subsequently handcuffed and left the control centre.

Tried swiping card​

Following this, a Shin Min reporter who visited Lim Chee Guan was told by an employee that the woman acted strangely and asked to "try swiping her card" before finally buying around S$88 worth of meat jerky.

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According to the shop assistant, the woman first bought around S$22 worth of meat jerky.

The woman went to the bakery next door and then came back, saying she wanted to buy two or three more packs of dried meat

 

[Boonsiong]

I always sleep in mrt . I must stay vigilant from now on

 

[Tragedeigh]

Shin Min reported that after the woman was arrested, she begged Gao to let her go and claimed to have a heart condition.

Got heart condition still eat bak kwa. Knn.

 

[sbfuncle]

Upon reviewing surveillance footage, the police suspected that the person who took Gao's wallet was the "kind person" who had handed his belongings to the staff.

However, since footage did not directly capture the moment Gao's wallet was stolen, the authorities needed to investigate.

Since Gao had previously seen the woman while the police were reviewing surveillance footage, he set out for the shop to see if he could catch her.

What does it mean when
Gao had previously seen the woman?
There were so many people in the mrt area.

Also, they viewed the footage in cantonment mata Choo is it, and he ran back to the scene? Or else how he managed to catch the woman after many hours?
As far as I know, polis won't allow victim to view footage one.
Once I leeported lost wallet in supermarket, polis and supermarket staff also disallowed me to view. They said only they can view.

 

[rocket]

What does it mean when
Gao had previously seen the woman?
There were so many people in the mrt area.

Also, they viewed the footage in cantonment mata Choo is it, and he ran back to the scene? Or else how he managed to catch the woman after many hours?
As far as I know, polis won't allow victim to view footage one.
Once I leeported lost wallet in supermarket, polis and supermarket staff also disallowed me to view. They said only they can view.

Mrt has its own cam why need go cantonment?

 

[sbfuncle]

Mrt has its own cam why need go cantonment?

Tiok KNN
Quite surprise they allowed him to view it together.

 

[A Singaporean]

Another coolie gene Sinkie retard. Leaving your belongings at the station is a smart idea ?

 

[rocket]

Another coolie gene Sinkie retard. Leaving your belongings at the station is a smart idea ?

Exactly!

 

[rocket]

Tiok KNN
Quite surprise they allowed him to view it together.

Maybe like watch movie. The more the merrier. Nachos and popcorn self purchase

 

[sbfuncle]

Maybe like watch movie. The more the merrier. Nachos and popcorn self purchase

Those area are for authorised personnel only.
Even supermarket disallowed.
Mrt staff broke their law.

 

[rocket]

Those area are for authorised personnel only.
Even supermarket disallowed.
Mrt staff broke their law.

I no idea. U security guard trained? From what I understand is at the discretion of the organisation involved. Usually hotel will not allow unless involved spf.

Mrt is a public transportation. Looking at cctv is to help victim get back belongings.

 

[sbfuncle]

I no idea. U security guard trained? From what I understand is at the discretion of the organisation involved. Usually hotel will not allow unless involved spf.

Mrt is a public transportation. Looking at cctv is to help victim get back belongings.

Supermarket supervisor told me it is prohibited. Since supermarket is prohibited, mrt should be even more prohibited mah.

 

[rocket]

Supermarket supervisor told me it is prohibited. Since supermarket is prohibited, mrt should be even more prohibited mah.

Supermarket is private space. Owner has the final say. Mrt is public transport.

 

[True Believer]

Another coolie gene Sinkie retard. Leaving your belongings at the station is a smart idea ?

The only people whom I have seen leaving their laptops, iPads, mobile phones etc. unattended are members of Tanglin Club, when they head to the washroom. They don't believe that other club members would steal their belongings.

 

[tobelightlight]

what is the native nationality, race, language and religion of the woman?

 

[nabeifuckpap]

what is the native nationality, race, language and religion of the woman?

No need to guess

 

[laksaboy]

Scams targetting Chinese-speaking Sinkies are almost always done by Tiongs or jiuhu kias.

It can be anything from shady haircut shops or dubious characters soliciting for charity donations outside the Waterloo Street temple (and the temple had recently put up a sign on the yellow barricades at the entrance warning about this). There are many more creative ways.

 

[syed putra]

Just forgive and forget. Its cny ang pow for the lady.

He added that though it was his fault for leaving his belongings at the station, "Singapore has always been very safe" with "so many CCTV cameras" at the station.

"I never thought that someone would actually steal things," said Gao.

A idiot should suffer for not adhering to Health Safety security environment standards.

 

[nabeifuckpap]

Scams targetting Chinese-speaking Sinkies are almost always done by Tiongs or jiuhu kias.

It can be anything from shady haircut shops or dubious characters soliciting for charity donations outside the Waterloo Street temple (and the temple had recently put up a sign on the yellow barricades at the entrance warning about this). There are many more creative ways.

Any AI voice youtube video is also Made by China

 

[True Believer]

Scams targetting Chinese-speaking Sinkies are almost always done by Tiongs or jiuhu kias. It can be anything from shady haircut shops or dubious characters soliciting for charity donations outside the Waterloo Street temple (and the temple had recently put up a sign on the yellow barricades at the entrance warning about this). There are many more creative ways.

I am always skeptical about anyone who approaches me for anything as long as I don't know the person. Even if the person is an acquaintance, I would be on my guard if it involves a too good to be true scheme.