M'sia cookie supplier files report after S'pore customer allegedly ghosts her over unpaid bill

A Chinese New Year (CNY) cookie supplier in Johor has filed a police report in Singapore after a customer allegedly went missing without paying the full amount for her order - and even blocked the seller after receiving the goods.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the 40-year-old supplier known as Ms Zheng, runs a CNY cookie business in Kulai, Johor.

She claims that on Dec 26, 2024, a Singaporean customer - Ms Tan - placed an order worth S$1,823.10, including popular treats such as pineapple tarts and cashew cookies.

Ms Tan reportedly paid S$1,000 upfront, and the cookies were delivered to an industrial area in the Mandai estate.

More orders, but no follow-up payment

Just three days later, Ms Tan placed a second order worth S$104.60, which was also delivered to the same area.

When Ms Zheng requested the remaining payment, Ms Tan texted on Jan 15, promising to visit Johor personally to pay - and even said she'd bring food along.

But that never happened.

"I messaged her again on Jan 28, but she didn't reply," Ms Zheng said. By Feb 7, she realised she had been blocked. "I tried calling from another number, but she didn't pick up - probably because it was a Malaysian number."

Ms Zheng said she continued to call and message, warning that she would go to the police, but received no response. She eventually lodged a report in Singapore on April 1.

"I'm not the business owner - I'm just a manager. But now I have to cover more than $900 out of pocket. I just want to contact her and get the money back."

Suspected of reselling the cookies

Ms Zheng later speculated that Ms Tan might have been reselling the cookies, as all the delivery addresses were actually third-party locations.

"She told me the cookies were for her friends, but I didn't realise she was actually selling them to other businesses," Ms Zheng claimed.

Was a regular customer

Ms Zheng said she had allowed Ms Tan to pay in part because she was a regular customer.

In Dec 2023, Ms Tan had ordered S$1,107.80 worth of cookies and paid in full via bank transfer, requesting delivery to a Clementi address.

On Jan 5, 2024, she placed another large order worth S$2,516.40 and again paid in full, with delivery to an industrial area in Depot Lane.

A smaller order of S$236 was also fully paid on Dec 5, 2024, with Ms Tan collecting it in person.

Attempts by Shin Min reporters to contact Ms Tan have so far been unsuccessful.

No one answered at her listed residential address, and one of the businesses where the cookies were delivered had a closed gate with a lion dance troupe sign outside.

In response to queries from The New Paper, the police confirmed that a report was lodged.