French Student Fined Over Viral Vending Machine Prank In Singapore

French Student Fined Over Viral Vending Machine Prank in Singap A French student has been fined 600 Singapore dollars approximately US$465 after pleading guilty to a public nuisance charge for filming himself licking a straw from an orange juice vending machine and placing it back, in what his lawyers described as a social media stunt.

The incident, which was recorded and shared online, sparked public concern over hygiene and food safety. Singaporean authorities launched an investigation, leading to the student’s arrest and prosecution. During court proceedings, the student’s lawyers said the prank was intended to attract attention on social media rather than cause harm. However, the court ruled that the act had the potential to cause public alarm and undermine confidence in the safety of self-service vending machines. Singapore maintains strict laws on public conduct and hygiene, with authorities taking firm action against behavior that could endanger or inconvenience the public. The student was ordered to pay the fine, bringing the case to a close. The incident has also reignited discussions about the consequences of performing risky or disruptive stunts for online attention. The case serves as a reminder that actions undertaken for social media content can carry significant legal consequences, particularly in jurisdictions with stringent public order regulations.