Lew Yun Poo sentenced to 12 months in jail for stealing antigen rapid test kits and selling them for gambling.
Theft for Personal Gain
Lew Yun Poo, a former logistics supervisor, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after stealing over $336,000 worth of antigen rapid test (ART) kits to support his gambling addiction. The 33-year-old Malaysian man had pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, with additional charges taken into consideration during sentencing.
Previously employed by 138 Transport and Logistics, Lew worked as both a supervisor and a driver for the company, which involved transporting goods for a supply chain company in Jurong. During his duties, Lew noticed that cartons of ART kits were left unattended at the company’s premises in Bulim Avenue, and he devised a plan to steal them.
Execution of the Theft Scheme
Lew reached out to a part-time driver he had previously worked with, instructing him to use company vehicles to transport the unattended kits. The driver, unaware that Lew had no permission to take the kits, made five trips between May 28 and July 17, 2022, delivering the stolen cartons to Lew.
In total, more than 100 cartons of ART kits were taken, with a total value of $336,960. Lew sold these kits to two company directors and used the proceeds to fund his gambling activities.
Discovery and Cover-up
When the supply company realized the theft, they planned to alert the police. Lew, aware of the imminent investigation, contacted the driver, urging him to delete all communications and dispose of his phone. Lew instructed the driver to deny any involvement if questioned.
The police managed to recover only six cartons of the stolen ART kits, valued at $20,200, but the rest of the items have not been returned, and Lew has not made restitution for them.
Legal Consequences
Lew faced up to three years in prison and a fine for each count of theft. His actions highlight the serious consequences of using workplace access for personal gain, especially in the context of valuable and high-demand supplies like ART kits.
