Tourist claims Singapore not safe after allegedly losing $2,300 at hotel

The tourist, identified as 28-year-old Chang Shuoyang, shared his experience on social media platform Threads on Oct. 17.

He said he had checked into Village Hotel Sentosa the day before.

Before heading out to an event at Universal Studios Singapore on Oct. 16, Chang left about S$3,000 in cash inside a plastic bag, which he placed on the countertop of his hotel room, The Independent Singapore reported.

When he returned the next morning, the money was gone.

"Be careful when visiting Singapore; hotel staff can steal money. This completely changes the image of Singapore as a safe and secure place... This is the first time I've had money stolen from a high-end hotel overseas," he wrote in his post.

Chang said he felt "helpless" after realizing the cash was missing. According to him, the hotel manager expressed disbelief that any staff member could be involved, insisting he trusted his employees, Mothership reported.

Hotel staff allegedly asked Chang to search through the garbage collection area in case the bag had been accidentally thrown away. He agreed and later shared a photo of himself going through trash bags while waiting for the police to arrive.

Chang claimed that when police inspected the locker of the housekeeper who had cleaned his room, they found a white plastic bag resembling his.

The employee was questioned by police but denied taking the money.

The case remains under investigation with the hotel assisting, The Straits Times reported.

A spokesperson for Far East Hospitality, which operates Village Hotel Sentosa, said in a media response on Oct. 20 that the company is aware of the incident, the report said.