Singapore’s food-and-beverage sector is facing a fresh wave of scams, with fraudulent restaurant websites increasingly tricking diners into making reservations or placing online orders on fake platforms. These scams span multiple formats — from impersonation of food delivery services and fake Google review takedown demands to cloned restaurant websites promoted via sponsored search ads.
The problem is not limited to Singapore. In South Korea, fake meal vouchers were recently sold in the name of Mosu, prompting chef Anh Sung-jae to issue public warnings after imposters circulated forged vouchers bearing his name and signature. Mosu had earlier faced a phone-rerouting scam in 2025, where diners were asked to make payments to fraudsters.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Fake reservation websites
In Singapore, restaurants including LeVeL33 and Claudine were targeted by cloned websites that appeared prominently in Google searches. Diners unknowingly entered credit card details for reservation “pre-authorisation” holds — a common practice on legitimate restaurant sites.
At LeVeL33, diners later noticed attempted unauthorised charges ranging from S$200 to S$2,000, which were blocked by banks. At Claudine, at least one customer suffered a confirmed loss of €2,3397 (about S$3,521) after completing a booking on a fake site. Police and bank investigations are ongoing.
Claudine has since reported and taken down multiple fraudulent domains, issued public advisories, helped affected diners dispute charges, and purchased additional look-alike domain names to prevent further impersonation. The scams have not spread to its sister brands, including Odette.
Fake online ordering platforms
Similar impersonation has hit takeaway brands. Andy’s Pie saw multiple fake ordering websites offering products under its name. While no confirmed financial losses have occurred — as the fake sites used “cash on delivery” — customers faced confusion and unfulfilled orders, causing reputational damage.
Operational and reputational fallout
Other restaurants reported diners arriving with “confirmed” bookings that never existed. Relish and Summer Hill flagged operational disruptions and reputational harm, even without direct financial loss.
What’s being done
Banks and regulators reiterated that customer vigilance remains critical. Restaurants are urging diners to book only through official websites or phone numbers, while some now confirm reservations via WhatsApp. Operators also stress trademark registration, which helps speed up takedowns of fake sites.
Industry platforms such as Oddle say scammers constantly adapt, requiring continuous monitoring, stronger security measures, and coordinated action between businesses, payment providers, and consumers.
Bottom line: As scammers exploit search ads and consumer trust, Singapore’s F&B industry is being forced into a more defensive posture — investing in brand protection, customer education, and rapid response — to prevent a single fake booking from becoming a lasting reputational hit.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
