How a Restaurant Manager Turned a Ramen Joint into a Luxury Shopping Spree — And Got 18 Months in Jail
Who was the culprit?
Tan Han Boon—a 50‑year‑old assistant manager at the Japanese ramen spot Kanada‑Ya—grew up to be the self‑declared “chief of culinary cat‑whiskers.” With a monthly paycheck of $2,800 and the power to hire part‑time staff, Tan thought he’d run the grey‑area “freelance economy” from the back‑room pantry.
The “Let’s Reimburse” dilemma
- Tan hired three newbies, paying them $8 an hour.
- When the restaurant tried to reimburse him, the Ministry of Manpower had nitpicks—Tan spent his own pocket to keep the staff happy.
- Needing cash, he turned to an unlicensed moneylender, promising disaster‑level interest.
Flavorful Frauds
Between July 18 – Oct 7, 2020, Tan pulled off 28 shady purchases on the company’s account. He stealthed pork & chicken, sold them below market price, and pocketed the cash—things he hadn’t earned. He even stole $1,200 in petty cash meant for raw eggs. All told, the betrayal was worth over $154,000.
Why the jail?
South East Asia’s courts take betrayal seriously. For each criminal breach of trust, a maximum of 15 years jail and fines is possible. After Tan’s 2013 food‑court skirmish, this case was the fifth time his name popped up. The judge, Kow Keng Siong, said “exceptional factors”—implying that the heartbreak of delayed reimbursement pushed Tan past the line.
Going to the Extremes
- Besides the 18‑month sentence for fraud, Tan also got 2 weeks for driving without a licence.
- He’s banned from any driving licence for 2 years after his release.
- No restitution yet—so the company still sits hungry.
Quick takeaways
When your employer’s money feels like the goody‑goody of a charity, make sure the “bills” go to the right people; otherwise your career (and potentially your gold‑watch fondness) could melt faster than a bowl of noodles in a bursty kitchen.
