SINGAPORE — Lalamove delivery riders are being warned about a new job scam in which fraudsters place fake delivery orders and trick riders into buying Roblox gift cards with their own money.
At least 13 cases have been reported since September, with total losses of at least S$2,000, according to the Singapore Police Force.
The scam exploits Lalamove’s legitimate “Buy For Me” delivery service, making the requests appear like ordinary jobs before riders are persuaded to purchase gift cards and hand over the redemption codes.
How the scam works
According to police, scammers first place a “Buy For Me” order through the Lalamove platform.
These orders typically require a delivery rider to purchase an item from one location and bring it to another.
After a rider accepts the job, the scammer contacts the rider through the platform and changes the instructions.
The rider is told to visit a convenience store and purchase Roblox gift cards.
The scammer then falsely claims that the delivery can be completed remotely if the rider simply provides the gift card’s redemption code.
This is where the rider can lose money.
Once the scammer receives the code, they redeem the gift card. The scammer then either stops responding or cancels the delivery order.
The rider is left with the cost of the gift cards, which had been purchased using their own money.
Riders can lose money even though the order came through the app
The police advisory highlights an important feature of the scam: the initial order is placed through a legitimate delivery platform.
This can make the request appear more trustworthy to riders who regularly accept jobs through Lalamove.
However, police stressed that riders should remain cautious when customers ask them to purchase gift cards or provide redemption codes.
Lalamove itself advises driver partners to keep delivery-related communication within its in-app chat where possible and to contact customer service before proceeding if an order appears suspicious.
The company also warns drivers about orders that require them to spend their own money upfront or promise unusually large tips in return for purchasing items.
Never share a gift card redemption code
Police specifically warned the public never to share gift card redemption codes with another person.
Once a code has been provided and redeemed, the gift card has no remaining value.
That means a rider who has already purchased a card could be left bearing the entire cost if the customer disappears.
Police also advised riders to report suspicious users or transactions to the relevant platform immediately.
Similar courier scams have happened before
The latest scam is not an entirely new tactic.
Singapore police previously warned delivery couriers about scams involving gift cards in 2021 and 2022.
In earlier cases, scammers asked couriers to purchase iTunes or other gift cards, reveal the codes and send photographs as proof of purchase. The scammers would then disappear without reimbursing the couriers.
Other variants involved asking couriers to transfer money to overseas accounts in exchange for promises of large tips.
A similar Lalamove case was reported in Singapore in 2025. A driver said he accepted a job that required him to pay for food and other items upfront before being persuaded to top up an e-wallet. He eventually lost about S$200 after the customer became uncontactable.
The recurrence of these schemes shows how scammers can adapt familiar courier scams to new platforms, payment methods and gift-card brands.
Police urge riders to use the ACT approach
The police reminded members of the public to follow the ACT approach when dealing with potential scams.
Add: Install the ScamShield app to help block scam calls and filter suspicious messages.
Check: Verify suspicious offers and instructions through official sources. Riders should be especially cautious about jobs promising lucrative returns for little effort or requiring them to make upfront payments.
Tell: Report scams to the authorities, family and friends, and immediately notify the bank if fraudulent transactions have taken place.
Anyone who is unsure about a possible scam can also contact the 24-hour ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
A warning for delivery riders
For delivery riders, the latest cases offer a simple warning: a legitimate delivery platform does not automatically mean every customer or order is legitimate.
Riders should be particularly cautious when a customer suddenly asks them to purchase gift cards, reveal redemption codes, make payments from their own pocket or change the original delivery instructions.
A request to share a gift card code should be treated as a major red flag.
With at least 13 cases already reported since September, police are urging Lalamove riders to stay alert before another seemingly ordinary delivery turns into an expensive scam.
