Singapore jails Chinese tourist for trying to bribe Changi Airport immigration officer

By Hoang Vu March 27, 2025 | 06:24 pm PT

A man, wearing a protective facemask, walks past the Rain Vortex display at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore on Feb. 27, 2020. Photo by AFP

A Chinese tourist has been sentenced to three weeks in jail for attempting to bribe an immigration officer at Singapore's Changi Airport to avoid being denied entry.

Wei Shishan, 42, pleaded guilty to one charge under the Prevention of Corruption Act on Thursday, The Straits Times reported.

Wei arrived in Singapore in August last year. While clearing immigration, he failed the facial recognition scan.

During checks, he told the officer he was visiting for leisure and planned to stay for about 10 days, contradicting the 29 days stated on his arrival card, according to information from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

He was taken to a waiting room. Fearing that he would be denied entry, Wei offered the officer S$30 (US$22) as "coffee money" from his wallet.

The officer refused the bribe, and Wei was subsequently arrested.

Under Singapore law, offering a bribe to a public servant is punishable by up to five years in jail, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.

Changi Airport has been repeatedly ranked among the world's best airports, praised for its modern facilities and efficient immigration procedures.