Memento Maker Under Probe After 15 Police Reports Against Firm

At least 80 orders worth about $19k yet to be delivered; bids to contact firm unsuccessful

- Vihanya Rakshika

Customers who placed orders with a home-grown firm that makes mementoes incorporating breast milk, umbilical cords and other unusual items have not received the items they paid for, despite waiting for months.

Attempts to contact the business, Keepsake by Ryo, have also been unsuccessful, they said.

In response to queries, the police said at least 15 reports have been made against the firm, and investigations are under way.

One customer, a 26-year-old marketing executive who wanted to be known only as Ms Angel, said she placed an order for two bracelet charms—one that would encompass her baby's umbilical cord, hair and name, and another that would have her breast milk.

She said: "I wanted to create these keepsakes as a reminder of my motherhood journey. They were meant to be precious mementoes from my firstborn."

Keepsake by Ryo—an online business that has been operating for more than 10 years—creates mementoes using items provided by customers, including breast milk, ashes from cremated human remains, and the fur of pets. The mementoes range from pendant necklaces to bracelets and earrings.

Checks by The Straits Times found that at least 80 orders worth nearly $19,000 have yet to be delivered to customers who have paid for the items in full—a condition imposed by the business for all orders.

The orders were placed between May 2023 and December 2024, and ranged in value from about $50 to more than $1,570 each.

Ms Angel's order, worth about $115, was placed on Oct 31, 2024, through the company's website. She was told the order would be ready before February.