3 Chinese nationals lock woman, child on MBS balcony and rob S$50k; arrested after Shanghai-bound flight recalled
Three Chinese nationals were arrested after allegedly robbing a woman of S$50,000 at Marina Bay Sands and locking her and her child on a hotel balcony. Police recalled a Shanghai-bound flight and recovered the stolen cash within hours of the report.
- A woman was allegedly robbed of S$50,000 after arranging a currency exchange through a messaging platform.
- The victim and her child were allegedly locked on a hotel balcony and suffered minor injuries.
- Police arrested three suspects after recalling their Shanghai-bound flight and recovered the stolen cash.
SINGAPORE: Three Chinese nationals have been arrested after allegedly robbing a woman of S$50,000 and locking her and her child on a balcony at Marina Bay Sands (MBS).
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said officers were alerted to a case of robbery with hurt along Bayfront Avenue at about 7pm on 1 June 2026.
The suspects, aged between 29 and 34, are expected to be charged on 3 June with robbery with hurt.
Foreign currency exchange arrangement
According to preliminary investigations, a 45-year-old woman had agreed to exchange S$50,000 in cash for foreign currency with an individual she met through a messaging platform.
The individual allegedly claimed to provide foreign currency exchange services and instructed the woman to bring the cash to Bayfront Avenue. The exchanged amount was purportedly to be deposited into her e-wallet.
The woman, who was accompanied by her child, met a man near Bayfront Avenue before being brought to a hotel room at Marina Bay Sands, SPF said in a press release issued on 2 June.
Police added that a second man was allegedly waiting inside the bathroom of the hotel room.
Victim allegedly restrained
When the woman produced the cash, one of the men allegedly restrained her by the neck and demanded that she hand over the money.
“The victim and her child were subsequently locked in the balcony of the room and sustained minor injuries from the incident,” SPF said.
The alleged offenders then fled with the cash.
Flight recalled after rapid investigation
Police said investigators established the identities of the three suspects within four hours of receiving the report.
Officers subsequently discovered that the men had boarded a Shanghai-bound flight at Changi Airport.
The aircraft was recalled to the gate, allowing police to arrest the suspects before departure.
Cash amounting to approximately S$50,000 was recovered and seized during the operation, according to SPF.
Charges and police advisory
Under Singapore law, those convicted of robbery with hurt face a jail term of between five and 20 years and caning of at least 12 strokes.
SPF advised members of the public to remain calm if confronted with similar situations, observe the physical appearance and distinctive features of suspects, and contact the police as soon as possible.
“Members of the public are also advised to exercise caution when engaging in currency exchange arrangements with unknown parties, particularly those conducted through social media or messaging platforms, and to always use licensed money changers for such transactions,” the police said.
