A man who decided to burgle homes on his first visit to Singapore after finding the country “rich” was sentenced to three years and eight months’ jail on Friday.

Huang Xiaozong broke into a suite at the Capella Singapore and two houses in Serangoon, stealing more than S$100,000 (US$78,000) worth of valuables.

The 41-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of housebreaking, with one count of trespass taken into consideration for sentencing.

The Chinese national visited Singapore for the first time on December 5, 2025, and stayed at a hotel in Little India.

He “had thoughts of stealing things” to earn money and “noticed that Singapore is very nice and rich”, according to court documents.

Huang targeted homes in wealthier parts of Singapore that appeared unoccupied, intending to break in and steal valuables.