A hawker was in dismay Saturday after realizing that he had prepared 16 dishes for what was likely a bogus order.
Even worse, the courier for Quanji Teochew Noodles discovered a note warning them to leave without even ringing the bell because “we have not ordered any food or other things at all.”
“Received a large order today, turns out to be a scam. Poor owner of the address has been getting harassed for the longest time,” Facebook user Ivan Tzx, who runs Quanji Teochew Noodles on New Upper Changi Road, wrote Saturday.
Screenshots of a WhatsApp exchange with the unknown person who placed the order showed it consisted of six laksa noodles and 10 mee pok noodles.
The hawker also included in his post a photo of the bizarre and paranoid handwritten note found hanging outside. Addressed to couriers, including those from the three major food delivery platforms, the note warned that even knocking on the door would risk them being “seen as an accomplice to the person who called you.”
“To Delivery Men grab, Food Panda, Deliveroo, Lalamove, etc. Please note that we do not order on-line parcels, we have not ordered any food or other things at all. So please do not knock on the door or ring door bell → as this house is under surveillance by the police.”
Things must be quieter than we thought if the police are sparing undercover units to bust prank ordering rings.
Still, it continue with the warning:
“A police report has been made and you are under camera. Please leave as you will be seen as accomplice to the person who called you.”
The hawker said he did not even receive payment for the large order and cautioned other vendors to ask for payments in advance.
“To all fellow delivery personnel and hawkers, from today onwards please ask for payment first before delivering,” he added.
Singapore has banned dining in at eateries under measures set to expire May 4, forcing eateries, including hawkers, to provide delivery services to sustain their businesses.
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