29-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) A Singaporean father’s attempt to ensure his daughter’s safety at a K-pop concert has landed him in legal hot water. The 49-year-old man, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions protecting his underage daughter’s identity, was fined S$5,000 (£2,900) on Monday for orchestrating an elaborate scheme involving fake royal identities.
The incident unfolded in January 2024 when the man’s 17-year-old daughter purchased tickets for two shows of the Enhypen World Tour at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Concerned for her safety and eager to help her bypass the entrance queue, the father concocted a plan that would soon unravel spectacularly.
Court documents reveal that the man contacted the event organiser, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), claiming to be a bodyguard for a princess from the Selangor royal family. He requested special access to the venue, ostensibly to ensure the safety of the supposed royal attendee.
On the night of 20 January, the father arrived at the concert venue dressed in a suit, playing the part of a bodyguard. His daughter and her friend accompanied him, with the daughter posing as the fictional princess. The ruse initially succeeded, with the man receiving a lanyard and two wristbands for special early entry to both concert dates.
However, suspicions arose when an event manager at the Singapore Sports Hub began to question the authenticity of the “royal” party. Subsequent investigations confirmed that the man’s daughter was not, in fact, a member of the Selangor royal family. The event organisers promptly alerted the authorities.
The following day, as the trio attempted to attend the second concert, their plan came crashing down. Police were called to the scene, leading to the father’s eventual prosecution.
In court, the man pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with his daughter to cheat by personation. An additional charge of wilful trespass was considered during sentencing. The prosecution sought a S$5,000 fine, noting that while the man had gained unauthorised access to the venue, his motives were not malicious and no financial loss was incurred.
Representing himself, the father expressed deep regret for his actions, emphasising that his primary concern had been his daughter’s safety. Despite his plea for leniency, the court upheld the proposed fine.
This case has raised questions about security protocols at high-profile events and the lengths to which some parents might go to protect their children. AEG and Sports Hub have yet to comment on why the father was initially granted access without more rigorous verification.
