A major pop culture convention at Marina Bay Sands descended into chaos last weekend, with multiple police call-outs, ticketing controversies, and even an arrest for voyeurism.
Police called twice in one day
The three-day Pop Toy Show, billed as Singapore’s biggest toy convention of the year, attracted huge crowds from 22 to 24 August. But on the final day, the atmosphere turned rowdy enough for police intervention on two separate occasions.
According to reports, the first incident happened early on Sunday morning (24 Aug), when security caught several individuals attempting to sneak into the exhibition hall without tickets. Police later confirmed that three men, aged between 22 and 29, were assisting with investigations. Eyewitnesses claimed that “ticket evasion” was a frequent issue throughout the event, with some foreigners allegedly sharing wristbands to bypass checks.
Organisers required visitors to present either an e-ticket or a physical wristband for entry. However, some attempted to blend in with VIP ticket holders, who were granted earlier access, leading to what attendees described as “chaotic” crowd control, Shin Min Daily News (Shin Min) reported
Man arrested for alleged upskirt filming
Later that afternoon, police were called back to the same venue following a separate case of voyeurism. A 29-year-old man was arrested after allegedly taking an upskirt photo of a female attendee. Photos circulating online showed him being handcuffed and escorted out of the convention centre by officers.
Police confirmed the arrest and said investigations are ongoing. The case has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for harsher penalties against such offences, especially in crowded public events where victims may not even realise they are being targeted.
Visitors slam poor organisation
While the event was expected to be a celebration of collectibles and limited-edition merchandise, many left disappointed. Premium tickets had sold out within minutes of release, with fans queuing from dawn to secure their purchases. However, complaints flooded platforms like Xiaohongshu, where visitors described the experience as “unprofessional” and “like a vegetable market”.
Some alleged that staff themselves queued for rare items and later attempted to resell “purchase rights” to frustrated customers at inflated prices. Others who had bought expensive VIP passes were upset that they were still forced to queue alongside regular ticket holders, defeating the purpose of their premium access.
Several attendees also criticised the lack of crowd management, saying the situation felt like it could break into arguments or fights at any moment. One user summed it up bluntly: “The entire convention was on the verge of collapse. Security was ineffective, and there was absolutely no order.”
Image: Shin Min Daily News