SINGAPORE — While accompanying two elderly patients to activate their ATM cards, a medical social worker noted their Personal Identification Numbers and later siphoned their savings.

Joney Song Siang Siang, 38, had been entrusted to help the nursing home patients with their valuables, which included their ATM cards.

In total, Song stole $47,360.13 from the two patients aged 80 and 77.

Song pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal breach of trust in the State Courts on Friday (31 May). Her sentencing has been adjourned to 18 June.

The worker at Grace Lodge Nursing Home worked from 1 June to 11 August 2017, when she resigned.

While helping the patients, Song persuaded them to activate their ATM cards. During the activation process, Song surreptitiously noted down their Personal Identification Numbers, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Yanying.

In July 2017, Song took the victims' ATM cards on several occasions. She then withdrew the money or transferred it into her own account. She stole $6,672 from the 80-year-old man and $40,688.13 from the 77-year-old man.

After committing the offences, Song threw away both cards. She used the money to repay loans from unlicensed moneylenders.

The offences were discovered in January 2018 when a social worker who replaced Song at Grace Lodge checked the victims' bank account statements and noticed the suspicious withdrawals.

A police report was lodged on 25 January. Song has since made restitution of $25,900.

For criminal breach of trust, Song faces jail of up to seven years and/or a fine on each count.

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