Elderly hawker claims S$800 CDC vouchers were fraudulently redeemed and spent
A 76-year-old mixed rice stall owner at Chinatown’s People’s Park Food Centre discovered that all S$800 of her CDC vouchers, issued in January and May 2025, had been redeemed and spent without her knowledge. She suspects someone fraudulently claimed them and has lodged a police report.
- A 76-year-old food stall owner in Chinatown discovered her S$800 worth of CDC vouchers had been used without her knowledge.
- She suspects identity misuse and has lodged a police report.
- Voucher usage records show transactions at supermarkets and shops near her home in Hougang.
SINGAPORE: A 76-year-old hawker who runs a mixed rice stall at Chinatown’s People’s Park Food Centre has lodged a police report after discovering that all her Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers worth S$800 were allegedly redeemed and spent without her knowledge.
According to local media outlet Lianhe Zaobao, the hawker, identified as Shen Miaolian, learned of the issue only in July 2025 when she went to Hougang Community Club to collect her SG60 vouchers.
Discovery during voucher collection
She was alerted by staff that two previous rounds of vouchers — distributed in January and May 2025 — had already been claimed and used.
“When they asked if I had already collected the earlier vouchers, I was shocked,” she said. “The staff printed the records and told me both rounds were already taken and even spent completely.”
Shen, who said she does not use a smartphone and usually relies on staff to help print her paper vouchers, explained that she had never collected any CDC vouchers before July.
Suspected fraudulent redemption
Staff informed her that the January vouchers were collected on 12 January in the afternoon, and the May vouchers on 18 May, both times when she was working at her food stall. Her son, who lives with her, confirmed that he had not redeemed them either.
“I work nearly 16 hours a day,” Shen said.
“These S$800 vouchers are government subsidies that really help us small vendors. I just want to know who took them.”
She subsequently filed a police report. The Singapore Police Force confirmed that a report had been received and investigations are ongoing.
Voucher usage traced near her home
Journalists assisting Shen checked the online redemption system and found that her vouchers had been used at various outlets near her Hougang residence.
The January batch was fully spent by 29 March, while the May batch’s final transaction occurred on 14 July.
Records showed the vouchers were used mainly at Sheng Siong supermarkets, fruit stalls, and mini-marts in Hougang.
“I usually pay with cash and have never used these vouchers,” she said. “This is my first time seeing such records.”
Authorities urge vigilance
On 1 October 2025, the police also issued a separate advisory warning the public of a resurgence in scams involving fraudulent Telegram channels and Instagram accounts promoting government payouts such as SG60 and CDC vouchers.
These fake accounts trick victims into disclosing personal details or verification codes, allowing scammers to hijack Telegram accounts and spread phishing links or investment scams.
The police stressed that genuine government social media accounts carry blue verification ticks and do not send clickable links or request authentication codes.
The Ministry of Finance clarified it does not contact citizens through Telegram or require users to provide credentials to claim vouchers. Official information on SG60 and CDC vouchers is available only on government websites.
The police advised the public to install the ScamShield app and verify suspicious messages through its channels before responding.
