Jane Lee, the owner of salad shop Sumo Salad at Holland Village, passed away on 19 July 2025. Her death came shortly after she posted a farewell message on Facebook.
Details of her wake have been shared on social media. It will begin on Monday at 2.00pm, with her cremation scheduled for 23 July.
Her death has shocked many in Singapore’s small business community.
Final Facebook messages revealed distress over alleged scam
In a Facebook post dated 18 July, one day before her passing, Jane Lee shared troubling details of a recent incident that had caused her significant distress.
In the post, she accused a former employee—an Indian worker who had approached her for employment—of staging a false injury just two days before the end of her employment contract.
According to Lee, the worker claimed to have slipped and fallen while using the escalator to dispose of rubbish. However, Lee believed the incident was staged.
Lee wrote that on the day of the incident, the employee had been scheduled to leave work early but had instead stayed beyond her usual hours.
“It became clear to me that the accident was premeditated, likely as an attempt to file a false work injury claim,” she stated.
Allegations of premeditated scheme targeting small businesses
Jane Lee further alleged that this was not the employee’s first attempt at such a claim. She suspected the worker, along with her husband—also from India—and possibly aided by a legal firm, had orchestrated the event to exploit the injury claims system.
Lee stated she had video footage contradicting the claim and had personally observed the employee moving freely, cooking and walking without signs of injury.
However, according to Lee, the worker’s demeanour changed when in the presence of doctors, where she allegedly exaggerated her condition.
“I accompanied her to several medical appointments and observed these deliberate actions,” Lee wrote.
She suspected the scheme was designed to target small businesses.
Concerns raised over insurance and alleged extortion
Lee expressed that small businesses without proper insurance coverage were especially vulnerable.
“If they find one without proper insurance coverage, they instil fear and try to extort money,” she alleged.
She included a reference to a screenshot sent to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) injury officer Dorathy Teng as part of her documentation.
In insured cases, Lee claimed, the perpetrators sought larger payouts by fabricating serious injuries or permanent disabilities.
She said she felt “deeply saddened” for herself, her husband Victor, and their loyal team. The shop had encountered a gap in insurance coverage at the time of the alleged incident.
Call for government investigation
In one of her last public statements, Lee called on the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore Police Force to investigate the case.
“I fear that I will not be the last victim,” she wrote.
“These individuals may continue to exploit other unsuspecting small businesses in similar ways.”
She also asked friends and the wider public to help share her message, with the aim of preventing similar incidents.
Lee’s farewell message also included notes of gratitude to her staff, thanking them for their support and dedication over the years.
To her family and children, she expressed sorrow that she could not find the strength to endure the hardship, noting that she had left a personal letter on her laptop.
Tributes from hawker community and food industry highlight Lee’s kindness and struggles
Facebook group Hawkers United also shared news of Lee’s passing.
The group’s administrator, Melvin Chew, who owns Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck, expressed his deepest condolences to Lee’s family.
He commended Lee as one of the kindest individuals he knew, noting that whenever there were posts about hawkers or people in need, she would always be the first to offer help.
Veteran food critic K.F. Seetoh expressed condolences on Facebook, recalling Jane Lee’s warmth and sincerity during their brief encounters.
He noted how her kindness extended even to casual customers, describing gestures that reflected her genuine character.
Seetoh also reflected on the emotional toll of living in a high-pressure city like Singapore, linking it to broader issues of mental stress and exploitation.
The Facebook page Death Kopitiam paid tribute to Lee, describing her as kind-hearted, generous and deeply principled.
It highlighted her dedication to serving healthy food, helping those in need, and supporting the elderly and underprivileged.
Lee was praised for facing the challenges of running a small business with integrity and resilience.
In the post, Death Kopitiam highlighted Lee’s allegations that she was targeted by a deceitful scheme to extort money from small business owners. It described how the alleged fraud devastated her sense of pride and purpose, ultimately leading to a crisis she could not overcome.
It closed by mourning her loss and thanking her for her unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help immediately. In Singapore, you can contact the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1-767 or text 9151 1767 for support. You’re not alone, and help is available.
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