ICA revokes ex-Mediacorp actor Ian Fang’s PR status; deportation and re-entry ban to follow
Former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore after completing a 40-month jail sentence for sexual offences involving an underage girl, following the revocation of his permanent resident status.
- Former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore after his jail sentence.
- His permanent resident status was revoked following his conviction for sexual offences involving an underage girl.
- Fang was sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment in May 2025 after pleading guilty to multiple charges.
SINGAPORE: Former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang, whose full name is Fang Wei Jie (方威捷), will be deported from Singapore and permanently barred from re-entering the country after completing his prison sentence for sexual offences.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) confirmed that Fang’s Singapore permanent resident status was revoked on 5 February, following a review triggered by his criminal conviction, according to statements provided to local media.
Fang, 35, was sentenced to 40 months’ jail in May 2025 after pleading guilty to three counts of sexually penetrating an underage girl, court records showed.
Five additional charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. These included further counts of sexual penetration of an underage girl, harassment, and obstructing the course of justice, according to prosecutors.
He began serving his sentence on 16 June 2025 and remains in custody. Upon completion of his jail term, he will be deported and prohibited from returning to Singapore.
An ICA spokesman told local media that Singapore permanent residents convicted of criminal offences are subject to a review of their immigration status. Each case is assessed based on its circumstances, the spokesman told local media.
In Fang’s case, the authority determined that his permanent resident status should be revoked, resulting in mandatory deportation after his sentence is served.
Fang’s identity was initially protected by a gag order when he was first charged, as the case involved a minor. The order aimed to prevent the victim from being identified indirectly through publicity.
However, District Judge Eddy Tham later lifted the gag order on Fang’s identity following an application by the prosecution, court proceedings revealed.
The judge said the primary purpose of the gag order was to protect the victim from further harm and trauma. He added that the court would respect the wishes of the victim and her family regarding disclosure.
According to Judge Tham, the victim and her family had expressed a clear desire for Fang’s identity to be revealed, leading to the lifting of the restriction.
The victim remains protected under a court-imposed gag order and cannot be named or identified. She was a 15-year-old student at the time the offences were committed.
The court heard that Fang’s actions had caused significant psychological harm to the victim. Prosecutors highlighted the abuse of trust and the victim’s vulnerability due to her age.
Fang was born in Shanghai and later educated in Singapore. He built a public profile through his career in the local entertainment industry.
Court documents reveal Fang’s offences against the minor
The offences occurred in 2024. Fang, then aged 34, met the victim at an entertainment event. At the time of the offences, he was also working as an acting instructor at a modelling school for children.
Court documents stated that Fang and the victim began exchanging daily messages after meeting in May 2024.
In June 2024, the two engaged in unprotected sexual acts on nine occasions, despite Fang being aware that the girl was 15.
One incident occurred on 6 June 2024, when the girl had contracted COVID-19 and checked into a hotel.
Fang visited her room that night, and they had sex. The victim reportedly began seeing Fang as her boyfriend, while he instructed her to keep the relationship secret.
On 13 June, the girl left her hotel to meet Fang again.
They returned to his residence where they again had sex before she returned to her hotel later that morning.
Fang remained in contact with the victim despite the hotel visits being timed around her mother’s checks.
On 17 June, while the girl was hospitalised for a flu infection and left alone overnight, Fang visited her and again engaged in unprotected sex.
The victim’s mother later discovered the relationship and reported it to the police on 3 August. Fang was arrested the following day and released on bail.
By that time, the girl was experiencing daily crying episodes and signs of depression.
Fang’s emotional manipulation worsened victim’s mental health
Despite explicit instructions from an investigation officer not to contact the victim, Fang initiated communication via social media, prompting her to call him.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee, Fang told the victim he would commit suicide if jailed and urged her to influence her mother not to proceed with charges.
This emotional pressure contributed to the victim’s mental health deterioration.
She was admitted to the Institute of Mental Health from 23 to 28 August and diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood.
Although she attempted to cease contact, Fang continued harassing her.
On 22 September, he made 18 phone calls and sent a message referencing her close friend. That month, he also entered her virtual karaoke application room.
The prosecution requested a sentence of 36 to 40 months, citing serious exploitation and psychological harm.
In her victim impact statement, the girl described being emotionally dependent on Fang and feeling that sex was the only way to keep him close.
After the offences were exposed, she resumed contact due to that dependence but found herself distressed by his attempts to manipulate her.
She has since lost confidence and expressed fear of middle-aged men.
DPP Lee stated that the victim would carry the emotional burden of having her first sexual experience tied to criminal proceedings.
Judge Tham noted that Fang, given his age and experience, was fully aware of the implications of his actions.
He described the conduct as a clear pattern of taking advantage of the victim’s emotional vulnerability.
Tham said Fang’s manipulation, including threats of suicide and pressuring the victim to sway her mother, was an attempt to “gaslight” the girl in a bid to avoid consequences.
Fang debuted in show business in 2011 and gained popularity with the drama On The Fringe.
He won the Star Award for Best Newcomer in 2013 and later starred in titles such as Served HOT (2014) and Tiger Mum (2015). Following his departure from Mediacorp, Fang pursued music, content creation, and business ventures.
