Eateries and florist in Singapore hit by fake bulk orders from scammers posing as SAF personnel
At least seven businesses, including eateries and a florist, were targeted in a series of fake bulk order scams by individuals impersonating Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. Victims lost money and food supplies after large, last-minute orders went uncollected. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) confirmed none of the alleged buyers were linked to the SAF.
- Eateries and a florist were targeted by scammers impersonating SAF personnel.
- Fake orders were made for large quantities of food and flowers, amounting to thousands of dollars in losses.
- Mindef confirmed no SAF involvement and has filed police reports over the incidents.
SINGAPORE: A series of fake bulk orders have targeted eateries and a florist in Singapore, with individuals falsely claiming to be from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has confirmed that none of the alleged buyers were linked to the SAF.
Restaurant tricked with fake nasi lemak order
Chee Hang Joon, owner of Sedap! restaurant in Novena, told The Straits Times on 15 September that a man identifying himself as “Luke Wong” — claiming to be from Bedok Army Camp — called on 8 September to place a bulk order.
Wong ordered 150 packets of nasi lemak and bottled water for collection the next day at 1pm, amounting to about S$1,600 after discount.
Although Sedap! is non-Halal, Wong assured Chee that it was acceptable as long as no pork or lard was used.
Chee requested advance payment, but Wong claimed it was a last-minute government order and could not be processed in time.
When no one arrived to collect the food, Chee made repeated but unanswered calls before filing a police report at 1.30pm.
Fortunately, Sedap! managed to sell off all the uncollected food during lunch. “A friend at Fitness First gym at Velocity bought 20 boxes from us,” Chee said.
View this post on Instagram
Bakery targeted with fake pastry order
Yi Jia Bakery on Thomson Road was another victim. Its 62-year-old owner, Low, said she received a call on 11 September from a man who introduced himself as “Gordon” from Bedok Camp.
He ordered S$1,500 worth of pastries for 150 people, supposedly for an event the next day.
Despite being informed that the bakery’s products were non-Halal, he insisted on proceeding.
When asked for advance payment, Gordon claimed the finance staff had left for the day but promised to pay the following morning.
On 12 September, another man — allegedly Gordon’s colleague — called to discuss a “supplier” of ready-to-eat meals, but Low refused to engage.
After multiple calls and messages from different numbers, Low warned the men she would report them if no payment was made.
By 4pm, just two hours before collection, the messages had been deleted and both men became uncontactable.
Low said she had been convinced by the callers’ sincerity but later donated most of the unclaimed pastries to charity group Food from the Heart.
Hawker stall at Tiong Bahru duped
On 9 September, Muhammad Shazain Faiha Muslim Food Paradise, a hawker stall at Tiong Bahru Market, also received a bogus order.
Its owner, Sayyid, 38, said a man claiming to represent the SAF called on 8 September, requesting meals for soldiers.
He asked that the food exclude beef and pork, and that each packet include bottled water.
Believing the request to be genuine, Sayyid provided larger meal portions at a discount — S$10 instead of the usual S$12 per packet.
However, when the collection window arrived between 1pm and 1.30pm, no one appeared. Sayyid subsequently lodged a police report.
Florist loses S$1,100 to fake order
Kiki Florist at KAP Mall in Bukit Timah was another victim. On 8 September, the shop received an order for 150 small bouquets and four large ones, supposedly for a government corporate event linked to Bedok Camp.
The buyer initially agreed to pay S$2,200 upon collection but refused to make a deposit. After negotiations, the order was reduced to 50 bouquets worth S$1,100.
Joselyn Lie, 21, co-owner of Kiki Florist, told CNA that the buyer “sounded very sincere” and even claimed to have paid vendors who failed to deliver in the past.
She shared screenshots of WhatsApp messages, including a profile photo showing a man in what appeared to be SAF uniform.
On 10 September, the supposed customer said his “men” would collect the bouquets. When no one showed up, he later demanded the full 150 bouquets before cutting off contact entirely.
“We’d been led on, strung along, and stood up,” Lie wrote in a blog post, adding that the scam cost the business around S$1,100 and forced them to turn away other customers.
Mindef confirms no SAF involvement
On 14 September, Mindef issued a Facebook advisory warning businesses of fraudulent bulk orders made by individuals impersonating SAF personnel.
“The SAF has observed a number of allegedly fraudulent bulk orders made by individuals claiming to be SAF personnel. The SAF takes a serious view of this,” the ministry said.
Mindef emphasised that for the seven cases identified so far, there was no evidence linking any of the individuals to the SAF.
The ministry confirmed that it has filed police reports and urged businesses to remain cautious, verify unusual bulk orders, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Scam pattern: large orders, short notice, and fake payment proofs
Police have noted similar patterns in recent bulk order scams.
Typically, scammers pose as representatives from government or military institutions and place large last-minute orders, often exceeding S$1,000.
Victims are usually told payment will be made later or that government procedures prevent advance transfer.
In some cases, scammers even provide fake payment confirmations or doctored screenshots to appear credible.
The Ministry of Defence reiterated that all official SAF catering and procurement processes are handled through authorised channels, and payments are never made through personal accounts or informal arrangements.
Businesses are advised to independently verify the identity of callers claiming to represent official agencies.
Businesses urged to stay alert
This latest wave of scams adds to a growing number of impersonation cases in Singapore, where criminals mimic public institutions to exploit trust.
The police and Mindef have jointly urged business owners — especially in the food, beverage, and event industries — to be cautious when receiving large or urgent orders.
Firms are encouraged to request deposits, validate institutional orders through official contact channels, and remain sceptical of unusual payment or delivery instructions.
As investigations continue, affected business owners say they hope greater awareness can prevent others from falling prey to similar tactics.
