12 $ for a Box of 50 Surgical Masks? The Tale of a “Too Good to Be True” Deal
At stake were more than 600 people’s wallets—and that’s before the price boom that saw masks jump from 20¢ to $1.50 in the wake of the pandemic.
The Thirst for Cheap Protection
Some buyers went all in, ordering as many as 4,000 boxes in hopes of reselling them. Total spend? A staggering $189 000.
Meet “diywallpaper” – the Online Seller
- Username: diywallpaper on Carousell.
- Age: 20‑s‑old, apparently.
- Listing: “Cheapest 50pc surgical mask three‑ply S$12” (it’s a bargain!)
- Claims: Sold from Turkey, shipped via Turkey and the Netherlands.
When buyers noticed others pricing the masks way higher while using her photos, they jumped at the chance. But none of the orders ever materialised, leading to a flurry of police reports.
Are We Dealing With a Honest Victim?
The police say there’s no clear evidence this woman was trying to cheat anyone. In fact, investigations show she paid a whopping $122 000 to supposedly legitimate suppliers.
She allegedly refunded $67 000 of the money she had collected and claims she “doesn’t pocket a single cent.” Below is an excerpt from a WhatsApp post approved by her:
“I did not pocket a single cent and have been trying my very best to pay back. If I had any intention to cheat you guys of the money, I would not have disclosed this information in the first place.”
Stories of Warming Hearts (and Unfulfilled hopes)
Ms. Heng – The 2,400 $ Short‑Story
Broke out at $2,400 for 200 boxes via PayNow for her business. She checked a store in Kovan (the “Kovan Store”) where buyers could “pick up.” The staff there seemed to know the seller was in the mask business.
She referred a friend (a resale pro) who paid a $24,000 deposit for 4,000 masks. When the deal crashed, Ms. Heng flagged her “bad luck” and decided to repay her friend gradually. She had some luck – she received a refund.
Ms. Heng’s takeaway? “It’s a lesson not to be too trusting. There is no way for us to get revenge.”
Mr. Tan – The Concerned Complainer
Paid over $2,500 for a few hundred boxes. Highlight: “$12 a box is the cheapest thing we found. It was so legitimately cheap I felt it was legit.”
He later got a partial refund and says he feels sorry for the woman if she was scammed. “Some people gave her small amounts, but someone is getting away with a lot of money.”
Online Communities and Legal DJ
Buyers formed groups to share updates on police proceedings and to negotiate refunds. On one WhatsApp chain, a handful of them teamed up with a lawyer to try to settle with the seller.
Lawyer’s Perspective
Ravinderpal Singh, director at Kalco Law: “Investigating a foreign scam is tough. Singaporean cops can’t go half‑half to the other side of the world. They need partner agencies on that jurisdiction.”
Carousell’s Take
Ms. Su‑Lin Tan, chief of staff & VP of operations at Carousell, said the platform is vigilant. “We strongly discourage people communicating outside Carousell. Extra vigilance is needed when shopping on any e‑commerce.”
Bottom Line – A Cautionary Tale
- Great deals can be a trap.
- Legitimacy of suppliers should be double‑checked.
- When something feels too good to be true, it probably is.
- Stay connected within the official app’s communications.
- If you’re ever in doubt, get legal support.
What’s Next?
Further updates on the virus and related scams are on the official site. Stay tuned, stay safe, and skip the price‑pumping pranksters!
