Man makes fake bomb threats after purported losses at cruise ship's casino

Offence led to boarding delay for next group of holidaymakers as safety checks were done

- Shaffiq Alkhatib Court Correspondent

A man who purportedly lost around $2,000 gambling at a casino on board a cruise ship emailed fake bomb threats to its company as he wanted his money back.

Neo Hui Ghim's offence, which was committed shortly after his trip ended, led to a two-hour boarding delay for another group of about 4,000 holidaymakers as the authorities had to conduct safety checks throughout the vessel.

He was identified as the person behind the bomb threats as he had used the same email address to send them and to make the cruise booking.

Sentencing for the 41-year-old Singaporean is expected to take place on Oct 27, after he pleaded guilty earlier to one count of communicating false information about a harmful situation. He was initially slated to be sentenced on Sept 22.

On Oct 11, 2023, Neo and his parents boarded a Resorts World Cruises (RWC) ship for a trip from Singapore to Malaysia and back, said deputy public prosecutors (DPPs) Sruthi Boppana and Kelly Ng.

Neo wanted to watch a concert on the ship, but was told that the tickets for the show were sold out.