Over the past two weeks, Singapore has seen a spate of fake bulk orders — from 150 packets of briyani at Tiong Bahru Market to bakeries and even florists. At first glance, these looked like pranks. But police investigations and charges now confirm that a scam syndicate is behind it, using local “mules” to supply phone lines and bank accounts.
How the scam works
- The setup Scammer calls or messages using a local number obtained from a mule. They pose as SAF personnel or another trusted professional. They place a large order — big enough to stretch resources, small enough to feel believable.
- The squeeze Near collection time, they demand extra items the business doesn’t carry. If refused, they threaten to cancel the order, leaving the vendor stuck with wasted stock.
- The fake solution To “help,” they offer a contact for a supplier. Desperate not to lose money, the business pays this supplier — who is, of course, part of the same syndicate.
- The cash-out The payment flows through mule bank accounts. Goods are never delivered. The original order is never collected. Losses often exceed the supposed value of the bulk order.
This isn’t entirely new. In 2022, scammers used fake restaurant reservations to push “extra wine and seafood” via fake suppliers. In 2024, they targeted curtain and blinds retailers. The SAF angle in 2025 simply added urgency and credibility.
Why businesses fall for it
- Local phone numbers and bank accounts look legitimate.
- WhatsApp profiles use stolen photos of Singaporeans.
- Scammers speak with local accents.
- They pose as trusted professions — soldiers, teachers, healthcare workers.
- They impose tight deadlines, forcing rushed decisions.
- And when asked for a deposit, they spin creative excuses, such as:
- “It’s a surprise/secret party, can’t risk anyone knowing.”
- “Government department — we can only process payment later.”
- “The officer handling payment has already left for the day.”
- “This is below our threshold for issuing a PO.”
- “We’ll settle payment on collection — can you trust us just this once?”
- “We already transferred — here’s a screenshot.” (fake or doctored)
- “My colleague is handling finance, I’ll chase them later.”
- “We’re regular customers from SAF/school/clinic — we’ll pay once delivered.”
Each excuse buys them time, lowers suspicion, and pressures the business into preparing without commitment.
Guarding against the scam
Here’s what SMEs can do immediately:
- Set a clear SOP for deposits. Publish a threshold so staff have cover. Example: 30% deposit for orders above $300, 50% for orders above $1,000.
- Do not start production until the deposit clears. No exceptions.
- But keep the human factor. Thresholds are a floor, not a ceiling. If an order below $300 feels off — unusual quantities, last-minute demands, or requests to use a “supplier” you’ve never heard of — treat it with equal caution.
- Verify independently. For large orders, call back on the organisation’s official line or request a purchase order via corporate email. Don’t rely solely on WhatsApp.
- No third-party payments. Never pay a supplier introduced by the buyer without checking business registration, UEN/GST, and landline verification.
- Document and escalate. Save chats, numbers and screenshots. Report to SPF via ScamShield (1799 hotline or app). Sharing attempts with other SMEs builds collective defence.
The mule dimension
The recent charge of a 22-year-old student shows how syndicates work: they need locals to provide bank accounts, SIM cards, and even Singpass access. These aren’t pranksters; they’re infrastructure providers.
From October 2025, Singapore will roll out a facility restriction framework: anyone warned, investigated, or convicted for mule offences may be barred from opening bank accounts, registering mobile lines, or using Singpass/Corppass.
On paper, this makes sense. Cut off the supply of mule infrastructure, and syndicates lose their cover.
But here’s the paradox: banking, telco and Singpass aren’t luxuries — they’re the basic tools of living here. Restrict them permanently, and you risk creating digital outcasts. With no re-entry path, some may fall further into the same criminal networks we’re trying to dismantle.
The bigger picture
Scams in Singapore aren’t going away. In just the first half of 2025, nearly 20,000 cases were reported, with close to half a billion dollars lost. The SAF bulk-order scam may look small compared to investment or romance frauds, but it shines a light on the plumbing that keeps scams alive: mule accounts, local phone lines, and public trust in familiar voices.
Bottom line
For SMEs: a published deposit policy plus a healthy dose of common sense is your best defence. For policymakers: restriction without rehabilitation risks breeding repeat offenders. For all of us: real resilience against scams only comes when government, commercial systems, and public education move in sync.