Jail for airport sales assistant who stole over $24k worth of perfumes, skincare products

During her break, she would meet buyers she had been in contact with on Carousell, or via word of mouth, at the public area of the airport and sell the items at a 50 per cent discount from the retail price.

In early May 2025, a security manager was assigned to monitor her movements as inventory shortages were discovered during a stock check.

On May 22, 2025, Futalan was seen on CCTV footage stealing three perfumes. She was confronted by the security manager and admitted to what she had done.

State Prosecuting Officer (SPO) Lee Cheng Wah said the items Futalan stole were not recovered as she had either sold them to other people or used them.

Futalan, a Filipina with Singapore permanent residency, has since made partial restitution of $3,770. The court heard that she has no financial means to pay the remaining sum.

In his submissions, SPO Lee said she had abused her employer’s trust by committing multiple premeditated thefts.

In mitigation, Futalan, who did not have a lawyer, told Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun: “Your Honour, I do not want to go to prison… Please forgive me and give me another chance.”

Those convicted of theft by a servant can be jailed for up to seven years and can also be liable to a fine.