10 teens face probe for forgery to enter nightspots

Ten teenagers are under investigation by the police for attempting to enter nightspots like Zouk by using forged entry stamps so as to avoid paying the cover charge. PHOTO: ST FILE

Ten teenagers are under investigation by the police for attempting to enter nightspots like Zouk by using forged entry stamps so as to avoid paying the cover charge.

The suspects, aged between 17 and 19, are being investigated for three separate cases of forgery after the police received reports in August and last month.

In one case, the entry stamps of the entertainment outlet were illegally made, sold and used, according to preliminary investigations. In two other cases, it is believed that genuine stamps were duplicated and transferred among the suspects via skin contact - by pressing the back of one person's hand with the print against another's.

The Straits Times understands that popular nightspot Zouk is among the outlets that encountered suspects who used stamps that were illegally made, sold and used, or tried to enter its premises by using duplicated stamps.

Another nightclub, Get Juiced, had its stamps transferred via skin contact. Both clubs are located in River Valley Road.

Several of the suspects also did not meet the legal age requirement to enter these outlets. Customers need to be 18 years old and above to enter both Zouk and Get Juiced.

In a statement released yesterday, the police said: "Members of the public are advised to pay the entry fee and obtain the official entry stamp only from the public entertainment outlets. Individuals who do not fulfil the minimum age requirement should not attempt to enter such outlets."

They added that any person found guilty of forgery for the purpose of cheating under Section 468 of the Penal Code, or anyone who intentionally aids in, or abets the commission of the offence, may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 12, 2017, with the headline 10 teens face probe for forgery to enter nightspots. Subscribe