SINGAPORE, Sept 17 — A 22-year-old Sri Lankan woman has been charged in court for allegedly allowing her bank account to be misused in a string of fake bulk order scams that cheated local businesses of tens of thousands of dollars.

Rajadi Rajasinghe Manamendra Patabadilage Vishwa Madavi, who holds a student pass, was charged under the Computer Misuse Act for giving others access to her bank account, according to The Straits Times.

Prosecutors said the account had been used to receive large sums of money linked to the scams.

Rajadi, currently held at the Central Police Division, is also accused of enabling unauthorised access to a computer system. 

She indicated her intention to plead guilty when she appeared in court on Tuesday. 

The case has been fixed for mention on October 1.

Police said Rajadi was among three suspects arrested on September 15 and 16 during raids in Middle Road, Woodlands Street 81 and Cantonment Road. 

Electronic devices and prepaid cards were seized during the operations. 

Preliminary findings suggest the trio had acted under the instructions of a syndicate.

Since September 4, at least five fake bulk order scams have been reported, with businesses collectively losing more than S$32,000 (RM105,000). 

Offenders had posed as personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to place large food orders, only to vanish without paying.

The Ministry of Defence said it has received reports of at least seven such scams, stressing that none involved actual SAF staff. 

Police have also cautioned that scammers may impersonate school staff or other institutions to order specific items in bulk, sometimes requesting brands or quantities that are difficult for vendors to supply.

Several eateries have already been targeted, including a nasi lemak outlet in Novena. 

Its owner said he had prepared 150 packets of food worth around S$1,600 for what turned out to be a sham order allegedly placed by someone claiming to be from Bedok camp. 

The food was never collected.

If convicted, Rajadi faces up to two years in jail and a fine as a first-time offender.