Singaporeans jailed for stealing Louis Vuitton bags from HCMC malls

Shawn Han Sxe Siang, 42, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, while his lover Loh Si Yu was sentenced to three years for stealing by the HCMC People’s Court on Thursday.

After entering Vietnam, Siang and his girlfriend plotted to steal valuables at malls, and then bring them back to Singapore to sell them. Yu was tasked with talking with employees to distract them, while Siang would steal the valuables and bring them back to their hotel.

On Aug. 9 last year, the couple stole a Louis Vuitton bag worth VND29 million ($1,144) at the Union Square mall in District 1, but they were seen by employees and reported to the police. A search at their residence revealed several branded bags with no clear origins.

Prosecutors said the couple had performed seven heists at several malls in District 1 from Aug. 6 to 9, with the valuables valued at VND102 million in total.

At the court, Siang admitted to his crime, while Yu initially said she only talked to employees to gain information on the bags, not to distract them.

Both Siang and Yu later expressed remorse, apologized to authorities, and asked for leniency so they could return to their families.