A Taiwanese social media influencer (雪碧) has claimed that she was denied entry into Singapore and deported after airport officers allegedly discovered “images” stored on her mobile phone. The incident, which she says took place in October last year, has sparked widespread discussion online about border controls, digital privacy and immigration screening procedures in Singapore.
According to reports circulating in Taiwanese media, the influencer, known online as “Snowbie” and whose real name is Fang Qiyuan, said she travelled to Singapore after being invited by a local friend to attend the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix. However, she alleged that shortly after landing at Changi Airport, she was taken aside by enforcement officers before she could even present her passport for immigration clearance.
She claimed she was escorted into a holding area commonly referred to by travellers as a “black room”, where multiple foreign visitors from regions such as Taiwan, China and India were also being questioned. During the process, her mobile phone was allegedly seized and examined by officers.
Claims of Phone Searches and Emotional Distress
Snowbie alleged that officers went through her personal phone contents, including “photos” and “S suggestive” images linked to her work on third-party platforms such as OnlyFans. She claimed that despite repeatedly asking for the search to stop, the checks continued. Eventually, she said she was informed that her “entry intent was suspicious” and that she would not be allowed into Singapore.
She further claimed she was kept at the airport for nearly 24 hours before being placed on a return flight to Taiwan. According to her account, no clear explanation was provided beyond the decision that she would be refused entry.
The influencer added that she had previously travelled frequently between Taiwan and Singapore due to a past relationship with a Singaporean partner, and had never encountered immigration issues before. As a result, she said the incident left her worried that future attempts to enter Singapore could involve lengthy administrative processes or additional scrutiny.
Denial of Wrongdoing and Clarification Issued
Following online speculation that she may have violated Singapore laws, Snowbie took to social media to deny any illegal activity. She stressed that the images found on her phone were related to her professional work and did not constitute criminal conduct. She also denied that she was deported specifically because of the nude images, reiterating that authorities did not provide a definitive reason for the refusal of entry.
She claimed the incident had a significant psychological impact, leading to insomnia, recurring nightmares and anxiety symptoms. According to her statement, she eventually sought psychiatric treatment and relied on medication to manage panic attacks and sleep issues, with her condition only improving months later.
Singapore’s Strict Immigration Controls in Focus
Singapore is known for its strict border and immigration controls, particularly where there are concerns about public order, illegal work or overstaying risks. Official figures previously showed that between January and November last year, around 41,800 foreign travellers were denied entry at Singapore checkpoints. Reasons commonly include prior offences, immigration risks or potential threats to public safety.
While authorities have not commented on this specific case, the incident has reignited debate among travellers about immigration powers, digital privacy at borders and the broad discretion officers hold when assessing entry eligibility. For visitors to Singapore, the case serves as a reminder that entry is not guaranteed, even with valid travel plans, and that immigration decisions can be made based on overall risk assessments rather than a single disclosed factor.