Journalism of Courage
A 30-year-old Singapore influencer, Genie Yamaguchi, has been ordered to wear an electronic tag and follow a night curfew after admitting to stealing over S$600 (about Rs 41,000) worth of goods from Don Don Donki, a Japanese discount store chain.
According to The Straits Times, Yamaguchi received a three-month Day Reporting Order (DRO), which requires her to report regularly to a supervision centre, undergo counselling, and stay indoors from 10 pm to 6 am. The community-based sentence allowed her to avoid jail or a fine.
Yamaguchi, had around 14,800 followers on her Instagram account, which is no longer active.
The theft took place on August 25 at Don Don Donki’s Orchard Central outlet, where she and a friend, Lee Suet Keay Cheryl, left with unpaid goods during the early hours.
Yamaguchi, who runs a preserved flower service and beauty aesthetics clinic, pleaded guilty to shoplifting 27 items worth S$628.90 — mostly beauty and skincare products, including a blusher, a tote bag, and vitamin C serum — before walking out without paying.
Their attempt, however, was short-lived. A staff member noticed the suspicious behaviour and tipped off the manager, who later reviewed CCTV footage confirming the theft.
They were later identified through CCTV footage and arrested on September 3. She has reimbursed the retailer.
The court considered Yamaguchi’s cooperation, lack of prior offences, and remorse before granting the DRO. She has not commented publicly on the case.
