News
S'pore man, 29, arrested for allegedly taking upskirt photo at 'chaotic' Pop Toy Show event
Police were called twice on the same day.
August 25, 2025, 05:49 PM
Amidst the chaos and the crowds at the Pop Toy Show event over the weekend, the police were called twice on Aug. 24.
On one occasion, security guards caught a visitor allegedly trying to sneak into the exhibition hall at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre without a ticket, and alerted the police, Shin Min Daily News (Shin Min) reported.
On the second occasion, police officers arrested a 29-year-old man, after he allegedly filmed an upskirt photo at the three-day event.
3 men caught for 'ticket evasion'
Eyewitnesses told Shin Min that the police arrived at the venue twice.
Initially, security guards had caught someone trying to enter the venue without a ticket and called the police.
Police told Mothership that on Aug. 24, they received a call for assistance at 10 Bayfront Avenue, the address of Sands Expo and Convention Centre, at 9:30am.
Three men, aged between 22 and 29, are assisting with investigations.
Sources told Shin Min that visitors have been caught for "ticket evasion" on a daily basis, and security guards would refuse them entry when discovered.
"Some try to sneak in when the VIP ticket holders are allowed earlier access. It's really chaotic," the sources said.
Shin Min observed that in order to enter the venue, visitors who purchased tickets online would have to present an electronic ticket, or a wristband for those buying a ticket over the counter.
It was understood that the three men were foreigners who tried to take turns entering the venue using the same wristband, Shin Min reported.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Alleged upskirter arrested
Another reader told Shin Min that on the same day, another man was arrested by police at the venue for allegedly taking upskirt photos.
A picture published in Shin Min showed a man in white shirt being handcuffed and led away by police officers.
Police told Mothership that they were alerted to a case of voyeurism in the same area at about 4:45pm on Aug. 24.
A 29-year-old man was arrested in relation to the case.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Event was chaotic, poorly organised: Visitors
The three-day event — touted as "the biggest Pop Mart event of the year" — drew hordes of event-goers from Aug. 22 to 24.
The event featured a wide selection of pop culture-related toys, collectibles, and merchandise, including new and limited edition products.
According to a previous press release, premium tickets were out of stock after the first batch of tickets sold out in just five minutes.
Visitors also started queuing from early morning hours before the doors opened at 9:30am on Aug. 22, and were seen rushing into the hall the instant doors opened.
A number of users posted on social media about their negative experiences at the event, with many saying it was "poorly organised" and the "queues were chaotic".One user alleged in a comment on Xiaohongshu that a staff, who had early access to the venue, queued up to purchase a limited edition product and tried selling the "purchase rights" at a higher price to those in the queue.
Screenshot of comment from Xiaohongshu
Others complained that they had purchased VIP tickets but still had to queue together with the regular ticket holders to enter the venue.
One user described the experience in the exhibition hall as akin to being in a "vegetable market".
GIF of video from 丘天羊/Xiaohongshu
"The entire convention was on the verge of arguing or fighting at any given moment. Security was ineffective, the system was unprofessional, and there was absolutely no sense of order," the user wrote.
Top image from 丘天羊/Xiaohongshu & Shin Min Daily News
