Surrey Hills Holdings founder faces cheating charges

Pang Gek Teng, the founder of Surrey Hills Holdings—the entity behind the Surrey Hills Grocer cafe chain—has been hit with 12 criminal charges. The 37-year-old former chief executive is accused of a series of fraudulent activities, including cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Details of the Alleged Fraud

The charges include allegations that Pang duped a woman into transferring more than $400,000 over eight separate occasions between 2018, and 2019. In one instance on January 4, 2019, Pang allegedly assumed the identities of two men named “Desmond” and “Derrick” to deceive the victim.

Pang purportedly claimed a private investigator had spotted the woman’s husband at a Serangoon Garden bank branch inquiring about her account. Under the guise that the funds were at risk of being frozen, Pang allegedly convinced the woman to transfer $191,700 for “safekeeping” to “Derrick.”

Further allegations involve a criminal breach of trust involving over $240,000 between April 3, 2023, and February 28, 2024, during Pang’s tenure as a key executive officer at Surrey Hills Holdings.

Did You Know? In 2021, Pang returned to Singapore with only A$362 (S$330) in her pocket before launching Surrey Hills Grocer with a $400,000 investment from a family friend.

Corporate Misconduct and Forgery

The legal troubles extend to other victims and corporate entities. Pang is accused of attempting to cheat a second woman between December 2023 and February 2024 by falsely claiming that Orchard Turn Developments had placed bulk hamper orders valued at over $800,000.

From nearly broke to CEO of Surrey Hills Grocer Group | Pang Gek Teng | WKH meets…

In January 2025, Pang allegedly forged an electronic invoice from a consulting firm to deceive the same woman, resulting in a $20,000 bank transfer. She is accused of cheating a third woman in March 2024 by pretending to be the chief executive of Orchard Turn Developments via WhatsApp.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that this case highlights the critical intersection of personal conduct and corporate governance. When a founder’s external activities involve alleged fraud, it can create significant operational and reputational risks for the brand they built.

Corporate Response and Legal Outlook

Surrey Hills Holdings terminated Pang’s employment on March 26, 2025, citing the discovery of “alleged financial misconduct.” The company has since initiated legal proceedings against her.

Pang, who holds a degree in management and marketing from PSB Academy and previously worked in banking, now faces significant legal jeopardy. For each count of cheating, an offender may be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

The case is scheduled for another court mention on July 10. Future proceedings could determine the extent of her liability and may lead to further legal actions from the company.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many charges does Pang Gek Teng face?
She faces a total of 12 charges, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, attempted cheating, and forgery.

When did Surrey Hills Holdings terminate her employment?
The company terminated her employment on March 26, 2025, following the discovery of alleged financial misconduct.

What is the potential penalty for the cheating charges?
For each count of cheating, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

How should companies balance founder autonomy with strict financial oversight to prevent misconduct?