US Couple Receive 'Light Jail Sentence' After Stealing $750 Luxury Goods In Singapore — Where Criminals Still Get Caned

A US couple were jailed in Singapore for stealing luxury goods worth around $750 (£554) while transiting through Changi Airport on 23 June 2025. Dentist Kapadia Husain Zoher, 35, and his wife Kapadia Amatullah, 30, an engineer, were caught before boarding a Mumbai-bound flight. The thefts occurred in Terminals 1 and 3 and involved items from Louis Vuitton and The Shilla Duty Free worth over $1,000 (£738). Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced on Monday, 4 August.

Breakdown of the Stolen Items

Court documents show the couple stole a $600 (£449) Louis Vuitton cardholder and a $488 (£335) bottle of Dior Sauvage perfume from shops in Terminals 1 and 3, including The Shilla Duty Free. CCTV footage captured the thefts, prompting airport security to intervene. The couple were intercepted on the aircraft before take-off, ensuring the recovery of the stolen merchandise. They did not leave the airport at any point during the transit, and the entire incident occurred while they were en route from the United States to India via Singapore.

Short Jail Sentences Delivered

As reported by The Times of India, Zoher received an 18-day jail sentence, while Amatullah was sentenced to 7 days. Caning, still a legal punishment in Singapore, was not applied due to the low value of the stolen items and the couple's lack of prior offences.

Singapore's courts are known for their tough stance on crime, but sentencing often takes into account case-specific factors, including intent, value of items and criminal history.

Strict Laws Still Enforced in Singapore

Despite the relatively short sentences, the case underscores Singapore's strict legal framework. The country enforces harsh penalties for offences such as drug trafficking, vandalism and repeat theft. Caning remains legal and is administered for crimes including robbery, rioting and overstaying immigration visas.

A widely reported case in 1994 involved American teenager Michael Fay, who was sentenced to six strokes of the cane and four months in jail for vandalism. The case attracted global attention and reinforced Singapore's reputation for zero tolerance toward criminal acts.

Criminal Justice Comparison: US vs Singapore

The incident has sparked renewed comparisons between Singapore's rigid enforcement approach and the more lenient handling of petty crimes in the United States. In many US states, shoplifting goods under $1,000 (£738) is classified as a misdemeanour, often resulting in a fine, community service or citation rather than arrest or prosecution.

For instance, in San Francisco, repeated incidents of retail theft have drawn public concern and media scrutiny, with viral videos of brazen shoplifting going unpunished. Yet few perpetrators face jail time. In contrast, Singapore's tough sentencing policies, swift legal processes and zero-tolerance stance continue to reinforce its global reputation for law and order.

Crime Rates Reflect Legal Cultures

Singapore recorded just 1 violent or serious crime per 100,000 residents in 2023, one of the lowest rates worldwide. The city-state's consistently low crime figures are widely credited to its strict enforcement and sentencing policies.

Meanwhile, the FBI's 2023 data showed over 6.4 million property crimes in the United States, including theft, burglary and vandalism. Rising public safety concerns in major US cities have fuelled ongoing debates around criminal justice reform and enforcement priorities.