Youth who posted online ‘joke’ about bombing Scoot plane gets probation

In Singapore, a 19-year-old individual named Rykes Tan Zhi Kai caused disruptions to three Scoot flights departing from Changi Airport after making an online "joke" about intending to bomb one of the planes. The three trips were each held up for over an hour, leading to a combined operational loss of nearly $2,000 for the airline.

Tan, now 20, was subsequently ordered to serve a year of probation following his guilty plea to one count of disseminating false information regarding a dangerous situation. He must stay indoors between 10pm and 6am each day and complete 90 hours of community service. Additionally, Tan's parents were required to post a $5,000 bond to ensure his compliance with the court's orders.

Court documents revealed that Tan had planned to travel to Taiwan on June 7, 2025, and was in a gate hold area at Changi Airport Terminal 1 when he captured a photograph of the Scoot aircraft he was set to board. Shortly before midnight, he posted the image on his private Instagram account, which had 71 followers, accompanied by the caption that he was planning to bomb the plane.

A friend of Tan's alerted authorities about the picture, and the police received an anonymous tip about the incident. Tan and three other companions departed Singapore on the plane around 1am. Around the same time, the police received a tip-off about Tan's online post. Three other Scoot flights destined for China and Greece underwent heightened security checks due to the threat.

They finally took off from Singapore at around 3am on June 8, 2025. Tan was apprehended three days later upon his return from Taiwan. Deputy Public Prosecutor Xu Sijia argued in court that a deterrent was necessary in this case, emphasizing that Changi Airport is integral to Singapore's status as a premier aviation hub. Any actions that threaten the safety and security of its operations and the aircraft operating from it should be met with strong disapproval by the courts.

Tan's defense attorney, Chen Yongxin, stated at the hearing on August 6 that his client had no intention to cause alarm and claimed he had committed the offense not out of malice. He also asserted that Tan was remorseful and had a low risk of re-offending.