Scammer allegedly doctored Google review photo & blackmailed Chinatown restaurant for S$300

A well-known restaurant in Chinatown was allegedly targeted in a scam attempt after someone claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish and demanded S$300 in compensation.

However, the owner of Kok Sen Restaurant along Keong Saik Road became suspicious after noticing several inconsistencies in the complaint, including a photograph he believed had been manipulated.

The restaurant's owner, Huang Zhaoqiang, 50, subsequently lodged a police report, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Demanded S$300 over alleged cockroach in food

Huang told Shin Min that he received a WhatsApp complaint at around 8am on Oct. 31 from someone who claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish while dining at the restaurant the previous day.

The person claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish and demanded S$300 in compensation, despite the accompanying receipt showing a bill of just over S$110.

Huang said he was alarmed by the complaint and apologised to the person, assuring them that the restaurant would take responsibility.

However, he became suspicious when the person refused to wait a week for the restaurant to investigate the complaint, claiming to need the money urgently.

The person also threatened to report the matter to the authorities and post about it online if the restaurant did not provide immediate compensation.

Restaurant owner spots suspicious details

Huang later examined the photographs and receipt provided by the complainant and noticed several discrepancies.

One of the photographs appeared to match an image from a recent Google review of the restaurant, leading Huang to believe that a cockroach had been digitally added.

The receipt also raised questions.

Although the complainant claimed to have visited the restaurant on Oct. 30, the receipt was dated Oct. 22.

Huang also noticed that the person was using a Malaysian phone number and had enabled disappearing messages on WhatsApp.

Huang tells complainant he will contact police

Huang then informed the complainant that he would report the matter to the police.

"I'm telling this story mainly to warn restaurants and hawkers that similar scams have been appearing recently," Huang said to Shin Min.