Incident Description

In a bizarre incident that has left many questioning the integrity of promotional offers, a woman in Singapore found herself charged S$7.99 after she scanned a QR code at a Jollibee restaurant, believed to be part of a customer feedback survey.

Details of the Incident

The incident transpired at Waterway Point, with husband Andy Quek taking to social media on November 8th to share their unsettling experience. Andy posted a picture showcasing a Jollibee standee, prominently featuring a QR code enticing customers to participate in a 'share your experience' survey in exchange for a complimentary serving of regular fries or a Vanilla Twirl cup.

However, the reality was far from what was promised. On November 1, when Mr. Quek’s wife scanned the QR code, she was prompted to input her phone number. Shortly afterward, she received a text message informing her that she had subscribed to a service named 'Next Battle' via SingTel’s carrier billing. Concerned, she quickly canceled the subscription, but to her dismay, their next bill revealed a charge of S$7.99.

Public Reaction and Company Response

Mr. Quek's social media post raised eyebrows, with the question, 'Jollibee Singapore, is this your way of scamming people?' Their experience provoked outrage, sparking discussions among netizens regarding digital marketing ethics and consumer protection.

In subsequent updates, Andy revealed that he had reached out to Jollibee through their official Facebook and Instagram accounts and indicated his intention to file a police report. Jollibee responded promptly, assuring him of a thorough investigation into the matter with a promise to revert by November 11.

Resolution Efforts

Furthermore, Mr. Quek communicated with SingTel as well, where he was offered a one-time waiver for the charge. However, he insisted that this was not a correct resolution since it would ultimately allow the 'scamming' entity to profit. He has since declined the waiver to pursue accountability from Jollibee directly.

Refund and Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation unfolds, Jollibee has since confirmed that they will refund Mr. Quek the controversial charge. In a recent update, he reported that the police had reached out to Jollibee as part of their inquiry into the legitimacy of the QR code.

Community Awareness

Many commenters on social media speculate that a fraudulent QR code could have been placed over the legitimate survey code at the Jollibee outlet, recalling similar scams that have occurred at various establishments. This raises concerns about the need for increased awareness of digital scams and a more stringent examination of how QR codes are utilized by businesses.

As this story develops, consumers are urged to remain vigilant with promotional QR codes and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Stay tuned for updates as Jollibee continues its investigation into this debacle!