Diamond buyer jailed for stealing HK$11.1 million in gems to fund gambling habit

A Hong Kong court has sentenced a former jewellery procurement manager to six years and eight months behind bars for stealing HK$11.1 million (US$1.4 million) worth of diamonds from suppliers to fund his gambling habit.

Mui Ka-fai, 63, pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of theft for reselling the small diamonds he misappropriated for personal gain while working for Tse Sui Luen Jewellery between April 2023 and February 2024.

Sentencing the defendant on Friday, High Court Judge Andrew Chan Hing-wai said Mui had abused his position and betrayed the trust placed in him by his employer and clients.

“The thefts were carefully executed and covered up,” he said. “But for the imminent termination of his employment, those thefts would not have been discovered instantly.”

The court heard that the defendant, an industry employee with 35 years of experience, stole 2,557 carats worth of diamonds while in a position that left him solely responsible for procuring small diamonds on behalf of the listed company.

Under the jeweller’s agreement with suppliers, diamonds supplied for inspection and examination had to be returned upon the suppliers’ request.

Each exchange was recorded on consignment forms, which Mui was responsible for entering into the company’s computer system. He was also required to keep them in a safe to which he had sole access.