MOM investigating alleged fraudulent work injury claim against Sumo Salad owner Jane Lee’s company

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced it is investigating an alleged fraudulent work injury claim filed against EatGreen Pte. Ltd., the company operating the salad chain Sumo Salad, now known as Sumo Well.

This development comes as the Singapore Police Force (SPF) separately investigates the unnatural death of Jane Lee, the eatery’s owner, according to local Chinese outlet 8world News.

On 21 July 2025, MOM confirmed in a statement that its officers had been in contact with Lee before her passing. The ministry said investigations into the worker’s claim are ongoing, with officers coordinating with the company’s insurer to verify the validity of the reported workplace accident.

Jane Lee, who was in her 40s and a mother of two, died on 19 July — two days after she published detailed Facebook posts alleging that her business had been targeted in a “carefully orchestrated” scam involving a staged workplace incident.

In her posts, Lee claimed that an employee had stayed beyond her scheduled hours on her final day of work to create an opportunity for a fake accident. The worker allegedly said she slipped and fell on an escalator while disposing of rubbish.

Lee said this appeared suspicious, noting that the employee had originally planned to leave work early that day. She believed the fall was deliberately staged to secure compensation under the Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Act.

Lee further alleged that the same worker — along with her husband — might have targeted other small businesses, with possible assistance from a law firm. She said she possessed video evidence contradicting the injury claim and claimed the employee exaggerated her condition during medical visits.

Lee warned that such alleged schemes could financially devastate small businesses, especially those with limited insurance coverage. She also expressed frustration that bad actors could exploit legal processes to pressure small business owners into settlements.

“If they find one without proper insurance coverage, they instil fear and try to extort money,” Lee wrote, calling on the authorities to take stronger action.

MOM confirmed that the worker involved is covered under the WIC Act and said it “will not hesitate to take parties found culpable for abusing the system to task”. The ministry also urged employers who suspect fraudulent claims to report them immediately.

MOM expressed its condolences to Lee’s family.

Following Lee’s death, tributes poured in from Singapore’s food and beverage community.

Melvin Chew, owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck, posted a condolence message, while food critic K.F. Seetoh wrote a personal tribute remembering Lee for her warmth and sincerity. Seetoh also reflected on the emotional toll faced by small business owners in Singapore’s high-pressure environment and urged the community to support one another.

Sumo Salad, rebranded as Sumo Well, currently operates outlets in Holland Village and Marina One.