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Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
‘Unnatural death': Singapore woman found dead day after accusing Indian worker of faking injury for compensation; probe under way
Sumo Well owner Jane Lee A Singaporean woman died last week, just a day after she publicly accused an Indian employee of faking a workplace injury to claim compensation. Jane Lee, the owner of local food outlet Sumo Salad (now rebranded as Sumo Well), had posted two detailed accounts on Facebook describing what she believed was a fraudulent scheme. In her Facebook posts, Lee alleged that the employee had staged an incident just two days before her employment contract ended. "Just two days before her contract ended, she staged an incident – claiming to have slipped and fallen while taking the escalator to dispose of rubbish," Lee wrote. According to Lee, the employee had been scheduled to leave work early that day but intentionally stayed back. "On that day, she was supposed to leave work early, but she deliberately stayed back. It became clear to me that the accident was premeditated, likely as an attempt to file a false work injury claim." Lee further claimed the incident was "a carefully orchestrated scheme" involving the employee's husband and said she had video evidence that contradicted the injury claim. "However, her behaviour changes dramatically in the presence of others, especially doctors, where she exaggerates her condition and limps to feign serious injury." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo She added: "I feel extremely unfortunate to have encountered this situation. I am deeply saddened – for myself, my husband and our dedicated staff – that because of an unfortunate gap in our insurance coverage, we are now being targeted by what I believe to be a fraudulent scheme." In a follow-up post, Lee urged authorities to look into the case, saying, "I fear that I will not be the last victim, and these individuals may continue to exploit other unsuspecting small businesses in similar ways." Before concluding her post, she apologised to her employees and revealed she had transferred funds to them. "To my beloved family and children, I'm truly sorry that I couldn't find the strength to face this battle on my own." The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed that investigations are ongoing into what has been classified as an 'unnatural death.' Separately, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Monday that it is looking into a possible fraudulent work injury claim involving the eatery, reported Singapore-based media outlet Channel News Asia (CNA). MOM confirmed that it had been in communication with Lee prior to her death and that the worker in question is covered under the Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Act. It is currently working with the employee's insurer to assess the validity of the claim. 'MOM will not hesitate to take parties found culpable for abusing the WIC system to task,' the ministry said, adding that employers facing similar concerns should reach out for support, as reported by CNA. The workplace in question, i.e. Sumo Salad, operates outlets in Holland Village and Marina One. CNA reported that the Holland Village location was open for business as usual on Monday. Lee's wake was held at St Joseph's Church in Bukit Timah. Attendees remembered her as warm, hardworking, and generous. "She always came across as a very friendly, joyful person. Very kind-hearted. Always very eager to help," said a friend who knew her from church. Former colleagues described her as 'a sunshine girl' and someone who remained concerned for others even amid personal distress. One ex-colleague, who spoke to her by phone after seeing her Facebook posts, said: "(It's) a bit shocking that this had happened because when I spoke to her on Friday, I really thought that she was okay." Others, including members of Singapore's F&B and small business communities, turned up at the wake to pay respects. Many highlighted the mental and emotional toll that business owners quietly endure. "She's basically carrying everybody's load and has a heart for everybody else first," one mourner said. MOM expressed its condolences to Lee's family and reiterated that investigations were still underway.
Online Citizen
21-07-2025
- Online Citizen
MOM probes alleged false injury claim at Sumo Salad as police investigate owner's sudden death
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced it is investigating an alleged fraudulent work injury claim filed against EatGreen Pte. Ltd., the company operating the salad chain Sumo Salad, now known as Sumo Well. This development comes as the Singapore Police Force (SPF) separately investigates the unnatural death of Jane Lee, the eatery's owner, according to local Chinese news outlet 8world News. On 21 July 2025, MOM confirmed in a statement that its officers had been in communication with Lee before her passing. The ministry emphasised that investigations into the worker's claim are ongoing, with its officers coordinating with the relevant insurance provider to assess the validity of the reported workplace incident. Concerns raised over insurance and alleged extortion Jane Lee, who was in her 40s and a mother of two, died on 19 July 2025, two days after publishing detailed allegations on Facebook about what she described as a 'carefully orchestrated' attempt to defraud her business through a staged workplace accident. In her posts, Lee claimed that an employee, who has not been named publicly, stayed beyond her scheduled working hours on her last day of employment to create an opportunity for the alleged staged incident. According to Lee's account, the worker said she slipped and fell while using an escalator to dispose of rubbish. Lee described how she found this suspicious, given the employee's original plan to leave work early that day. She expressed her belief that the alleged accident had been premeditated to secure compensation through a work injury claim. In one of her final public statements, Lee wrote: 'On that day, she was supposed to leave work early, but she deliberately stayed back. It became clear to me that the accident was premeditated, likely as an attempt to file a false work injury claim.' Lee further alleged that this was not the worker's first attempt at such a claim and suspected the individual, along with her husband, had deliberately targeted small businesses like hers. Lee suggested the possibility that the couple, who are both from India, might have received assistance from a legal firm to exploit injury claims for compensation. MOM urges employers to seek assistance if they suspect fraudulent work injury claims MOM noted that the worker is covered under the Work Injury Compensation (WIC) Act and stated that it 'will not hesitate to take parties found culpable for abusing the WIC system to task'. It also encouraged employers who suspect fraudulent claims to approach the ministry for help. In its statement, MOM extended condolences to Lee's family. In her Facebook posts, Lee mentioned that she had documented evidence, including video footage, which she said contradicted the injury claim. She explained she had personally seen the employee move around freely, cooking and walking normally, only to observe the worker exaggerating her condition during medical appointments. Lee expressed significant concern about how such alleged schemes could harm small businesses, especially those with gaps in their insurance coverage. She warned that if bad actors found businesses without proper protection, they could exploit the fear of financial loss to extort settlements. 'If they find one without proper insurance coverage, they instil fear and try to extort money,' Lee claimed in her post, adding that the perpetrators could seek larger payouts by faking more severe injuries or disabilities. Lee's final messages included pleas for the authorities to investigate thoroughly, fearing that other small business owners could fall victim to similar schemes. She encouraged friends and the wider public to help share her story to raise awareness and protect other enterprises. Tributes have since poured in from Singapore's food and beverage community. Melvin Chew, owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck, posted a condolence message online, while veteran Singapore food critic K.F. Seetoh shared a personal tribute, remembering Lee's warmth and sincerity. Seetoh reflected on the emotional toll faced by small business owners in Singapore's high-pressure environment, though stopped short of linking this directly to Lee's passing. He urged the community to support one another in times of stress and uncertainty. Sumo Salad, rebranded as Sumo Well, operates at least two outlets in Singapore, including branches in Holland Village and Marina One.
