The Police would like to alert members of the public on the re-emergence of a fake bulk order scam variant. Recent cases saw the renovation, F&B, retail and service industries being targeted. Since May 2025, at least 5 cases were reported, with total losses amounting to at least $52,000.
In this scam variant, scammers would typically pose as teachers or staff from academic institutions in Singapore. Scammers would contact renovation firms, restaurants, retailers, or service-related businesses via phone call or WhatsApp message, pretending to be customers making bulk orders or to make reservations.
Scammers would request for additional items, specific brands of items that the targeted businesses do not carry, or order quantities that the businesses are unable to fulfil on short notice. The scammers would then recommend another scammer impersonating as a “supplier” to the victims. The “customer” may provide fake payment documentation, such as screenshots, to convince the victims that they had made partial payment of the bulk order in advance. This tactic is used to persuade the victims to provide payment for the orders placed with the “supplier”. Victims would only realise they have been scammed when they did not receive any payment from the “customer”, when the “supplier” fails to deliver the goods, or when both the “customer” and the “supplier” become uncontactable.
The Police would like to advise businesses to also adopt the following precautionary measures to avoid falling for scams:
- ADD – A mandatory step in your business processes to independently verify the identity of the party that you are corresponding with. Avoid making payments or deposits in advance to new suppliers. Arrange to meet the supplier and pay only upon delivery of the goods.
- CHECK – For scam signs with official sources such as the ScamShield Helpline (1799). You can also check the legitimacy of suspicious messages, phone numbers and website links via the ScamShield app or visit the ScamShield website at www.scamshield.gov.sg. Check for reviews of suppliers to establish their legitimacy before committing to a purchase.
- TELL – Tell the authorities, family, and friends about scams. Report the scammers to WhatsApp, or the respective messaging app.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamshield.gov.sg. Fighting scams is a community effort. Together, we can ACT Against Scams to safeguard our community!
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
28 July 2025 @ 8:18 PM