Sumo Salad owner dies after final Facebook posts alleging workplace injury scam by staff

The owner of Sumo Salad passed away after two Facebook posts appeared on her social media account in one day alleging that a former staff of hers carried out a fraudulent workplace injury claim.

The deceased, Jane Lee, a mother of two who owned the salad bar in Holland Village, alleged on Jul. 18 that a former staff had orchestrated a fall to file a false work injury claim.

This occurred just before the woman's employment contract ended.

Lee had also claimed that the couple, likely with the help of a legal firm, had tried the same ruse before.

The firm allegedly advised foreign workers on how to get compensation for workplace injuries.

Staff allegedly exaggerated condition

Lee wrote that she had observed the staff walking and performing daily tasks without difficulty, but exaggerated her condition when she met medical professionals.

Lee also wrote that she had video footage.

Lee wrote: "Based on my observations and information I've gathered, I believe this was a carefully orchestrated scheme."

Small businesses at risk

The couple apparently targeted small businesses without full insurance coverage.

They would allegedly try to get higher payouts if insured by feigning more severe injuries, Lee claimed, writing that "because of an unfortunate gap in our insurance coverage, we are now being targeted by what I believe to be a fraudulent scheme".

Another post by Lee on the same day published two minutes after the first, tagged the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF), where she requested the authorities to step in to investigate.

She warned that other small businesses are at risk of being scammed.

Addressed family and workers

She also wrote: "To my beloved family and children, I'm truly sorry that I couldn't find the strength to face this battle on my own."

She thanked her staff by name as well, and wrote that she had transferred money to some of them.

Some staff whom she mentioned had worked with her for 12 years.

Tributes

There has been an outpouring of tributes to Lee online as her posts were circulated widely among members of the public in Singapore and beyond.

Many who knew her or crossed paths with Lee mentioned her kindness and selflessness.

One anecdote mentioned that Lee would take more leaflets from those distributing them so that they can finish work faster.

MOM's response

Following Lee's passing, MOM posted on their Facebook to extend their condolences to Lee’s family and explained that they had been in communication with Lee on the matter.

Investigations are ongoing, they said.

The worker involved was covered under Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Act, they said, adding that they are working with the insurer to assess the validity of the case.

"MOM will not hesitate to take parties found culpable for abusing the WIC system to task. Employers can approach MOM for help if they have concerns over fraudulent claims by their employees," they said.

Mothership has reached out to MOM and the Singapore police.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

national mindline 1771: 1771

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 6571 4400 (for targets of online harms)

Top photos via Jane Lee Facebook