JB durian stall finds someone else's payment QR code pasted over their own, earnings lost as a result

A well-known durian stall in Johor Bahru, Malaysia fell prey to a money scam operation on Jul. 29 through a fake QR code modus operandi.

The owner of R&F Durian Stall said in a Facebook post on Jul. 30 that someone had discreetly pasted their personal DuitNow (equivalent of Singapore's PayNow) QR code over the stall's payment QR code on Jul. 29.

Unbeknownst to the stall owners, customers who paid for their durian using the fake QR code were unknowingly transferring money to the scammer instead.

The post also explained that as business was brisk on the night of Jul. 29, the stall owners did not pay much attention to the lack of a ring sound on the TNG (Touch 'n Go) soundbox when customers made their payment.

The ring would have indicated that a successful payment had been made.

Instead, they attributed it to "just a network issue", they said.

A screenshot of a transfer attached to the post identifies the receiver.

The issue only came to light when a customer alerted the stall owners that their QR code had been tampered with.

"If you’re the person responsible, come forward and contact me. If not, we will report this to the police," the post said, identifying the supposed culprit.

The owner explained to a commenter on the post that he intends to give the culprit a chance to own up to his mistake "so as to not appear heartless", before he makes a police report.

The stall, located within walking distance from the popular City Square Mall in Johor Bahru, is one of their three outlets.

It was previously featured in Lifestyle Asia's "Johor Bahru: 7 best places to eat durian in JB, from Red Prawn to MSW" article on Jul. 16.

Top images via R&F Durian Stall/Facebook & Canva