Drama arose after three men were arrested in Singapore on Monday for sneaking fans into a Taylor Swift concert.
According to The Independent, they distracted security at the entry gates so three fans without tickets could slip into the venue.
One reportedly talked to guards while the other held onto a turnstile to let the trio in. Another four people are also being investigated in connection with the case.
Since being arrested, two of the men (both Chinese nationals) have been charged for allegedly sneaking the fans into the concert.
One of those who was snuck in has been identified as Chinese influencer Yang Junhao, who maintains he was tricked into buying fake tickets.
In a video on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, Junhao said “This is me after being told I bought fake tickets, and was brought out [of the concert] to be interrogated by the police… I pleaded with the police to let me stay outside the venue so that I can hear Taylor’s voice.
“I spent 12,000 yuan (£1,300; $1,700) on the ticket and didn’t know it was fake even after I entered the concert. I only realised it after officers brought us out… I am also a victim, I am stuck in Singapore and assisting in the investigation. It’s a difficult situation.”
The island country has very strict rules on cheating, and those who are prosecuted can face a hefty three-year prison sentence.
A statement from the Singapore police reads: “The offence of Cheating under Section 417 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. The offence of Criminal Trespass under Section 447 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three months, or a fine of up to $1,500, or both.”
Singapore is the only country in Southeast Asia that features in Taylor Swift’s phenomenally popular Eras Tour. When completed, the huge tour will span almost two whole years, beginning in March 2023 and is due to finish in December 2024.
Monday’s concert was the third show of the Pennsylvania-born singer-songwriter’s Eras Tour in Singapore, which includes six sold-out nights at the National Stadium within Singapore’s Sports Hub.
Unsurprisingly, the six dates had sold out quickly – triggering despairing fans from as far as China to turn to the dreaded resellers to secure a ticket for the hottest tour of the year.
This isn’t the only controversy to have emerged during Taylor Swift’s stint in the country. Other Southeast Asian nations have expressed outrage at confirmation Singapore negotiated a deal with the singer’s concert promoters, paying an as yet unknown sum of money to ensure that the country was her only stop in the region.
This has understandably provoked outrage from Singapore’s neighbouring nations, with Thailand’s prime minister Srettha Thavisin claiming Singapore paid millions of dollars per concert for the deal.
In response to the anger Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, casually stated, “A deal was reached. And so it has turned out to be a very successful arrangement. I don’t see that as being unfriendly.”
Tickets and information regarding the Eras tour are available via Taylor Swift’s website.