What happened in the Cortina Watch fraud case?

A former employee admitted to cheating 14 victims of nearly S$500,000 by misusing a staff purchase scheme. He took payments for watches that were not delivered, with funds used to settle personal debts. Partial restitution of S$13,000 has been made, and sentencing is set for February with prosecutors seeking a multi-year jail term.

When is sentencing and what penalties are expected?

Sentencing is due in February. Prosecutors have asked for a multi-year jail term. The court will weigh the amount involved, the number of victims, the restitution of S$13,000 to date, and the offender’s plea. Final penalties will be determined at the sentencing hearing.

How can luxury retailers reduce staff purchase scheme risks?

Require platform-only payments, maker-checker approval for discounts, and daily reconciliation of staff sales. Restrict quantities, ban private deposits, and separate sales from payment collection and delivery release. Publish clear customer advisories, audit quarterly, and use exception alerts for large prepayments or off-book reservations to close common fraud paths.

What should customers do to avoid similar scams?

Buy only through official invoices, pay via company-verified channels, and confirm order numbers before transferring funds. Avoid private deals that promise special access. Keep records of chats and receipts. If suspicious, halt payment, contact the retailer directly, and file a police report promptly if money has been transferred.

Law and Government

January 04: Cortina Watch Ex-Employee Admits S$500k Fraud in Court

ByHuzaifa Zahoor January 4, 2026January 4, 2026

Cortina Watch is back in the spotlight after a former employee admitted to cheating 14 victims of nearly S$500,000 using a staff purchase scheme. Prosecutors are seeking a multi-year jail term, with sentencing set for February. The case highlights a Singapore luxury watch scam risk and exposes weaknesses in retail internal controls. For investors, operational integrity and reputational safeguards now matter as much as sales. We summarise the facts, the control gaps, and what to watch next.