SINGAPORE — Two Chinese nationals accused of helping three people illegally enter a Taylor Swift concert at the Singapore Sports Hub were charged in court on Wednesday (6 March). Local media outlet CNA reported that one of the accused, Yang Chenguang, 29, had allegedly distracted a security officer, while Li Xiao Wei, 45, held a turnstile for three people to enter the concert venue.
Yang and Li were ordered to be remanded for investigations and will appear in court next week. They are each accused of abetting the three individuals in cheating event organiser Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM) on 4 March, the third day of Swift’s Eras Tour in Singapore.
According to CNA, the incident allegedly happened around 6pm. The three who allegedly entered the concert venue and cheated the organisers were named in the charged sheets as Shangguan Linmo, Hu Zhijin and Yang Junhao.
CNA’s report said that the two individuals were the first to be charged after police had been alerted that several people entered the concert premises without authorisation on 4 March.
What punishment they could face for entering Taylor Swift’s concert without valid tickets
According to preliminary investigations, three men had allegedly helped four people who did not have legitimate concert tickets enter the venue.
CNA reported that the third man has yet to be charged, while the Singapore Sports Hub shared in a statement that two men and two women between the ages of 21 and 25 are currently assisting investigations in relation to the offence of criminal trespass.
Cheating carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both, while those convicted of criminal trespass can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to $1,000, or both.
Why the Sports Hub increased security presence for Taylor Swift’s concert
According to a Singapore Sports Hub spokesperson, security presence at the Sports Hub on event days was increased from 2 March “in anticipation of the large crowds expected” at the Taylor Swift concerts.
In a statement shared with Yahoo Southeast Asia, the spokesperson said that security staff at the Sports Hub had detained several individuals who attempted to trespass into the National Stadium, and the police were alerted to the incident.
The spokesperson said that KASM and the police “will continue to work closely to ensure the safety and security of the public at events” at the Sports Hub, adding that the KASM team works “closely with hirers and relevant government agencies to ensure the safety and security of patrons at events” taking place at the venue.
“KASM wishes to thank patrons who came forward with their observations that helped the security team and authorities close in on the trespassers,” the spokesperson said. The statement also included a reminder from the police to the public to only purchase tickets and merchandise from authorised sellers, and to only enter the venue with a valid ticket.
American pop icon Swift is set to perform at the National Stadium for another three nights.
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