A teenage content creator has been labelled “foolish” and “desperate to achieve likes” after posing as a security guard to sneak into a Drake concert and the Formula One Grand Prix.
Social media prankster Nashir Hassani, 18, donned high vis and fake MSS security credentials to gain access to the two high-profile events earlier this year.
He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday, pleading guilty to eight charges including two counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
The court was told Hassani was among three men that entered the Rod Laver Arena on February 10, when Canadian rapper Drake was performing, while posing as security guards.
Camera IconHassani and another boy posed as security at the Melbourne Grand Prix. TikTok Credit: TikTok
The trio were captured on CCTV walking around the venue, with security apprehending the group as they attempted to enter a restricted backstage area.
A month later, on March 16, Hassani was with two males when they approached Gate 3 at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and gained entry without a ticket.
In a since-deleted TikTok, allegedly narrated by one of his co-accused, the video begins with the statement: “This is how we snuck into the Grand Prix and got into a $7000 ticketed area for free.”
“We put on our fake security and walked through the entrance, no questions asked,” the voice over continues.
“We had the freedom to do whatever we wanted so we checked out a few spots only we could get to.”
The court was told the trio were captured on CCTV filming content around the venue while wearing fake security uniforms.
They were able to enter the Ricciardo Grandstand, ticketed at $480, a corporate facility, ticketed at $3695, and a Redbull event, ticketed at $4895.
Camera IconHassani was handed a $4000 fine. NewsWire/ Liam Beatty. Credit: News Corp Australia
The group also entered a marshall zone, a “live” area for racing teams, and Hassani was captured using a megaphone while standing on the track barrier at turn one.
Police were alerted by an anonymous Crime Stoppers report containing the TikTok video, which was taken down by the platform for containing illegal activities.
The court was told the organisers of the Australian Grand Prix had been fined 200,000 euros ($A358,000) by the international organising federation for the security breach.
Hassani was arrested on March 26, with police finding multiple drivers licences among his belongings – some fake, others previously stolen.
Camera IconThe video was pulled from social media. `TikTok Credit: TikTok
Hassani’s lawyer, Supriya Lal, called for her client to be placed on an adjourned undertaking to be of good behaviour and receive a financial penalty.
She argued the court should take into account this was the first time he’d been before the court, his youth, early plea of guilty and remorse.
“He has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and is genuinely remorseful,” she said.
Ms Lal told the court her client got “carried away” making prank videos and now no longer uses TikTok.
Hassani had recently completed a cyber security course at RMIT and started a digital marketing business, the court was told.
A police prosecutor labelled the offending “planned” and “sophisticated”, noting the incidents were posted online to gain notoriety.
But he ultimately accepted an adjourned undertaking was appropriate, given Hassani’s young age and lack of priors.
Camera IconThe teenager declined to comment as he left court with Ms Lal. NewsWire/ Liam Beatty. Credit: News Corp Australia
After standing down the case to think about an appropriate penalty for the “enormously troubling” offending, Magistrate Rosemary Falla returned to the bench.
“The only proper sentence is a financial penalty,” she said, slapping Hassani with a $4,000 fine.
“Each payment you make will be a constant reminder to you.”
Ms Falla described the offending as “premeditated”, “arrogant” and foolish”, saying it was designed to seek attention on social media.
“It’s a tragic state of affairs you and your coaccused were so desperate to achieve likes on social media that you were willing to break the law,” she said.
“This is a warning to you and other people in the community that this offending must stop. It costs us all enormously.”
