In U-turn, Foodpanda now says masked deliveryman is its staff who turned up at wrong address

SINGAPORE — Hours after claiming a fully masked deliveryman was not its staff, food delivery company Foodpanda has now said he is indeed its rider who had turned up at a wrong residential address.

Foodpanda was investigating claims of a masked man wearing its uniform and knocking on home doors claiming to deliver food — even though none was ordered.

In a photo widely circulated on messaging platforms, a fully masked man could be seen wearing a Foodpanda shirt and holding a plastic bag.

The photo, circulated widely on social media, had an accompanying message warning users that "these guys are targeting people’s homes (even though) none ordered food", and that they "(pretended) to deliver food and asked (residents) to open the door".

Foodpanda Singapore managing director Luc Andreani had told TODAY in an email statement earlier on Tuesday (March 20) afternoon that "this person is not a rider on (his) shift, but is falsely posing as a delivery rider”.

“Riders are taught not to cover their face and always behave amiably with our customers,” added Mr Andreani. “Foodpanda is investigating this incident further and will work collaboratively with police to find the culprit.”

Hours later, the company changed tack.

"Following further investigation, Foodpanda can confirm that an attempted food delivery on March 17 to a Singapore resident, who had not made an order, was made by a registered foodpanda ride," the company said in an email statement on Tuesday evening.

"The rider was responding to an incorrect delivery address entered into an order by a foodpanda customer."

The company added: "We sincerely apologise to the recipient of this incorrect delivery for any inconvenience caused."