The Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement yesterday that they have recently received many complains about people purporting to order a large number of meals bottles of and red wine from restaurants, in response to which the police launched a two-weeks anti-deception campaign earlier this month to warn local restaurant owners about the scams and how to prevent them.
The campaign also includes the distribution of anti-fraud leaflets.
According to the statement, the fraudsters will attract restaurateurs’ attention by purporting to order a large number of meals from them. At the same time, they will introduce certain food suppliers to the owners of the restaurants to purchase the ingredients or red wine required for their orders, and promise them “commission” as bait.
The statement underlined that the fraudsters will even purport that the payment for their orders has been transferred to the restaurant owners already, by fabricating a bank transaction record.
The Judiciary Police reminded the sector to be vigilant when receiving bulk orders, adding that they should verify the authenticity of the people ordering large amounts of food and, at the same time, recommending certain food suppliers before purchasing ingredients or red wine from them. The police also urged the restaurateurs not to readily advance their payments for goods.
Moreover, the Judiciary Police urged all restaurant owners not to trust any out-of-the-ordinary orders placed by strangers or transfer any money to purported suppliers, as criminals are able to use software to falsify bank transfer records which should always be verified through a reliable platform.
The statement noted that if fraud or other kinds of crimes are suspected, residents should call the Judiciary Police Antiscam Hotline 8800 7777 or the Crime Report Hotline 993 for help.
This undated handout photo provided by the Judiciary Police (PJ) yesterday shows PJ officers urging a restaurant owner to be wary of fraudsters.
