For many Singaporeans, the allure of a good durian is undeniable. The rich, creamy texture and the sweet aroma that fills the air is something many of us would pay top dollar for. But imagine shelling out a whopping $310 for just eight of these thorny delights?
Sounds like a sleigh ride, doesn’t it?
But this happened to a 84-year-old in Jurong West
At block 845 Jurong West Street 81, Ma Yulian (from hanyin pinyin), a 84-year-old, had an unexpected visitor.
According to Shin Min Daily News, on the evening of 28 July, a young salesman, probably in his early 20s, came knocking, pushing a trolley brimming with durians.
Ma, with the thought of treating her son to some delicious durians, engaged the man. “I wanted eight durians for my son,” she shared
The salesman, quick to spot an opportunity, mentioned, “Ah, Auntie, I’ve only got one Musang King left, but the rest are just as good, promise!”
Without diving into the nitty-gritty of pricing, Ma handed over RM400 (S$120) to the man, who mentioned he hailed from Malaysia and was okay with ringgit.
But the story took a twist when he claimed that the amount wasn’t sufficient.
Ma, perhaps caught in the moment, handed over another $90.
But, wait for it, that still wasn’t enough for our durian salesman.
Digging deep into her savings, Ma handed over another $100 and even borrowed $30 from her unsuspecting husband, who was none the wiser about the ongoing transaction.
Once the payment was settled, the salesman, perhaps with a hint of guilt or just good customer service, opened up the durians and packed them neatly into eight plastic boxes. Ma then shared three boxes with a friend.
However, as the day wore on, a nagging feeling settled in Ma’s heart. The realization hit her: she might’ve been taken for a ride.
Her friend, upon tasting the durian, found the flesh unusually moist. Though she didn’t give it much thought initially, it became a point of concern after Ma reached out.
While you can’t say it’s a “scam”, it certainly is a lesson to learn.
Ma hasn’t approached the police about this incident, hopes her tale serves as a cautionary one, reminding us all to be a tad more vigilant, especially when it comes to our beloved durians.
