- If you suspect your helper stole from you, make a police report and let the police investigate. Do not search her yourself or force a confession.
- Theft by a domestic worker from her employer falls under Section 381 of the Penal Code: up to 7 years' jail and a fine.
- You cannot hold her passport or cut her salary to recover the loss. Settle all salary owed up to her last day.
- While police investigate, she is usually placed on a Special Pass and cannot go back to work for you.
- Once you cancel her Work Permit, your levy stops 1 day before the cancellation date.
- False accusations are a crime too. One employer was jailed 7 weeks for planting a pendant in her maid's luggage.
Something is missing at home. Cash from the drawer. A ring from the jewellery box.
And the only other person in the house all day is your helper.
That feeling in your stomach is horrible. You trusted her with your kids and your keys.
Friends, before you do anything, read this. How you handle the next 24 hours decides whether you get justice, or end up in trouble yourself.
What Should I Do First If I Think My Maid Stole Something?
Stay calm. Rule out the boring explanations before the scary one.
- Search properly. Under the sofa, old handbags, car, office. Things get misplaced more than they get stolen.
- Ask the family quietly. Did your spouse move it? Did the kids borrow it? Did grandma "keep it somewhere safe"?
- Think about who else came in. Contractors, cleaners, delivery riders, guests.
- Write it down. What is missing, its value, when you last saw it, and who had access.
Still missing after all that? Time to gather evidence, carefully.
How Do I Gather Evidence Without Breaking the Law?
- Save CCTV footage from common areas, with timestamps
- Photograph where the item was kept
- Keep receipts, valuation slips, bank statements
- Leave the scene as it is for the police
- Search her body or force open her bags
- Lock her in, take her phone or threaten her
- Put cameras in her room or the bathroom
- Post her photo or name online
Leave the searching to the police. It protects you and makes any evidence stronger in court.
Should I Confront My Helper?
A calm, private conversation is fine. Ask if she has seen the item. Listen. Sometimes there really is an innocent explanation.
Keep it safe for both of you:
- Have another adult present, or call your agency to sit in.
- No shouting, no accusations, no "confess and I won't call the police" deals.
- If she returns the item, still decide carefully whether to report. A quiet settlement can backfire if more goes missing later.
Your agency has seen this before. Loop them in early. They can mediate and advise on the next step.
How Do I Make a Police Report for Maid Theft?
Be accurate. Giving false information to a public servant carries up to a year's jail and a $5,000 fine.
What Happens to My Helper After I Report Her?
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Investigation | Police record statements and may search her things. SPF notifies MOM when a helper is suspected of an offence. |
| Special Pass | She stays in Singapore on a Special Pass. She cannot return to her old job. If seen as a flight risk, police may impound her passport. |
| Temporary work | MOM may let her work under the Temporary Job Scheme while waiting, unless there are safety or investigation concerns. |
| Charged | Usually under s381 Penal Code (theft by servant): up to 7 years' jail and a fine. |
| No case | Police may close it for lack of evidence. Her involvement in an investigation is still considered in future Work Permit applications. |
Investigations take time. One Filipino helper accused in January 2024 waited until September, when police found no evidence and closed the case.
Do I Still Pay Her Salary, Levy and Work Permit?
Not sure about upkeep or repatriation while she is under investigation? Ask your agency and MOM directly for your case. Do not guess.
What If I Accuse My Maid Wrongly?
This is the part employers forget. The consequences can land on you.
Report only what you know. Let the evidence speak.
How Can I Prevent Theft by My Helper?
- Lock up valuables. A small safe for jewellery, cash and cards costs less than one lost ring.
- Never share PINs or OTPs. Courts have seen helpers drain elderly employers' bank accounts after learning a PIN.
- Keep a simple inventory. Photos of jewellery and watches help you notice gaps and prove ownership.
- Tell her about CCTV. Cameras in common areas only, and let her know they are there.
- Set house rules on day one. What she can use, what she must ask about, what to do if she finds money lying around.
- Watch for money stress. Loan sharks, online scams and family emergencies push people to bad choices. An open door to talk helps.
- Check references. On FDW eService, past employers can offer to be referees. Call them before you hire.
Need a helper you can trust?
Browse helper profiles from 200+ Singapore-registered maid agencies.
Browse SearchMaidP.S. Before you call the police, check grandma's "safe place". Half the missing jewellery in Singapore is in a Milo tin somewhere.
