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

[True Believer]

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

Any opportunist of any race would be tempted to steal personal belongings that are left unattended. She was foolish to return the items not of value to her to the SMRT staff, who could identify her.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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.

​

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

 

[True Believer]

At first, I thought the thief was an Ah Kwa, before I realised that she bought Bak Kwa with the stolen credit card.

 

[tobelightlight]

100% ah tiong with the tiong look.

 

[True Believer]

100% ah tiong with the tiong look.

The thief was caught on CCTV because she went to the station control to return the low value items of the victim's.

 

[tobelightlight]

The thief was caught on CCTV because she went to the station control to return the low value items of the victim's.

why so difficult to say it is an ah tiong? It is a Tiong. A Japanese will not behave like that. Still want to act honest to return the item but actually stole something. A hypocrite and a thief.

 

[rocket]

Lesson learnt. Don't go buy bak kwa

 

[True Believer]

Still want to act honest to return the item but actually stole something. A hypocrite and a thief.

Sounds like our PAP politicians. Only pretend to be honest, but legalise all their plunder.

 

[Flibbertigibbet]

Lesson learnt. Don't go buy bak kwa

Buy bak kwa must use own bag. Don't use the store's plastic bag. Best is bring own container so nobody know or can smell it's bak kwa hidden inside

 

[Boonsiong]

Nice

 

[True Believer]

Buy bak kwa must use own bag. Don't use the store's plastic bag. Best is bring own container so nobody know or can smell it's bak kwa hidden inside

A luggage is required if anyone wants to smuggle an Ah Kwa though.

 

[True Believer]

Buy bak kwa must use own bag. Don't use the store's plastic bag. Best is bring own container so nobody know or can smell it's bak kwa hidden inside

 

[True Believer]

A luggage is required if anyone wants to smuggle an Ah Kwa though.

 

[WangChuk]

alamak ... why steal leh ... she want $$ moi can give her $100 plus heart rate improvement exercise session each time .... can cure heart problem and jiak problem oso.

 

[True Believer]

alamak ... why steal leh ... she want $$ moi can give her $100 plus heart rate improvement exercise session each time .... can cure heart problem and jiak problem oso.