Singapore: Father fined SGD 5,000 for Malaysian royal security guard impersonation to attend K-Pop concert with teenage daughter

A Singaporean father has been fined SGD 5,000 by court for impersonation, after he was found guilty of posing as a security guard to a princess from the Selangor royal family. The incident took place in January 2024 and involves the Singaporean tour of K-Pop band Enhypen, who performed two shows at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Enhypen performing in Singapore. Photo courtesy: Screengrab from YouTube
Enhypen performing in Singapore. Photo courtesy: Screengrab from YouTube

As per a CNA report, the 49-year-old man, who cannot be identified, was charged with one count of conspiring with his daughter to cheat by personation, and another count of wilful trespass, after he told concert organisers that he was the security guard of the royal family member, while in reality he wanted to attend the show with his 17-year-old daughter.

As per reports, the daughter had two tickets, one for herself and another for a friend, but the father devised the plan as he wanted to help her skip the entrance queue and also to keep an eye on his daughter while she attended the event.

The court fined the man on Monday (Jul 29).

How did it unfold?

The CNA report said that the 49-year-old called event organiser Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) on January 20, 2024. He introduced himself as the bodyguard of the royal member and said the latter would be attending the event on that day and the next day.

He further explained that while the ‘princess’ had tickets, he did not have and asked for access as he wanted to ensure the safety of the royal member.

The organisers agreed to the demand, but asked him to turn up early to the venue. Things worked perfectly as the group enjoyed the special treatment. However, after they left, an official at the Singapore Sports Hub expressed doubts over the identity of the ‘royals’.

Soon, they confirmed the scam and lodged a police complaint.

The trio were handed over to the police when they arrived at the venue the next day.

Impersonation in Singapore is a punishable offense, that could lead to jail for up to five years, fine, or both.