Police received 45 reports about fake bulk order scams since May 2025: Goh Pei Ming

At least 45 reports about fake bulk order scams have been received by the police since May 2025, in what appears to be a recent resurgence of such types of scams, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming.

Goh, speaking in Parliament on Sep. 26, said that these fake bulk order scams included scammers impersonating Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel and teachers from academic institutions.

"From May 2025 to Sep. 15 2025, the police received at least six reports of fake bulk order scams involving the impersonation of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel", said Goh.

How these scams work

Goh said that in these scams, the scammers posing as SAF personnel would typically contact restaurants or other small businesses to make bulk orders.

In some cases, nearer to the delivery date, the scammers would request for additional items which the businesses do not carry or are unable to fulfil at short notice.

Goh said the scammers would provide the contact details of fake suppliers whom they claim can supply the additional items, and persuade the victim to pay the fixed suppliers on their behalf.

"The fake suppliers are part of the scam syndicate and will deceive the victim into making payment, without delivering the actual items," said Goh.

Victims would typically realise they had been deceived when a bulk order was not collected.

Goh said that as of Sep. 19, police have arrested six suspects in connection with these scams.

One of them, a 22-year-old woman, was charged in court on Sep. 17 for relinquishing control of her bank account to the scammers.

Investigations against the other suspects are currently ongoing, said Goh.

How businesses can protect themselves

Goh said the police "take a firm stance against such cases" and will step up their public education efforts.

For instance, police have engaged industry stakeholders such as the Food and Beverage Management Association Singapore, Restaurant Association of Singapore and Orchard Road Business Association, on the telltale signs of scams and preventive measures they should adopt.

Goh also sought the public's support, including businesses and merchants, to be discerning and vigilant.

Goh advised businesses to verify the identity of the people they are transacting with, avoid making advance payments or deposits with new suppliers, and pay only upon the delivery of goods.

"Please note also that government agencies will not ask businesses to make payment to another business on the government's behalf, unless agreed upon through a written contract," said Goh.

Businesses can ask for email order from government agencies

In response to a question from Nee Soon Member of Parliament (MP) Jackson Lam if MHA is developing verification tools or secure channels to protect business owners, Goh said it's often not possible for authorities to "fully protect the businesses and the public" from all forms of fraud and scams.

If contacted by individuals claiming to be from government agencies, businesses can consider asking for the order to be sent via an official email address ending in gov.sg, Goh said.

Alternatively, they can approach the government agencies directly via their contact details on the official government directory.

Those in doubt should check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, phone numbers, website links via the ScamShield app or calling their helpline at 1799.

Could some of these cases be pranks?

Potong Pasir MP Alex Yeo asked Goh if, apart from cases involving restaurants, police had made headway in their investigations into smaller businesses affected by bulk order scams, including hawkers.

Yeo asked if Goh could share more details about the perpetrators, and their motives.

Goh replied:

"In terms of whether it comes from a restaurant, [or] it comes from a hawker centre, I think all these are fake bulk order scams, and all the cases are currently under investigation.

As and when we do have details and conclusions from the investigations, we will make them public, especially if it's in the public interest."

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Top image from MDDI/YouTube, WhatsApp, Ping, Muhammad Shazain Faiha Muslim Food Paradise/Facebook, Breaditation Bakery/Instagram, & Kiki Florist.