Two 18-year-old men have been charged by police after a video was published on TikTok appearing to show two individuals impersonating security guards in order to get into the Australian Grand Prix.
A Tiktoker who goes by the name of @trisssssy published the clip on the social media platform. It allegedly shows the pair sneaking into the Grand Prix without proper security accreditation.
Detectives from Victoria Police allege that the pair posed as security officials to gain access to a private lounge and areas of the track that members of the public were prohibited from entering.
In the clip, which had amassed over 200,000 likes last week before it had been deleted, the individuals donned unbranded high-visibility jackets and red lanyards before making their way into the grounds at Albert Park.
‘So this is how we snuck into the Grand Prix and got into a $7000 suite for free,’ a voiceover at the beginning of the clip says.
The individuals in the video clip are seen confidently walking through the gates at the event before making their way towards the racetrack.
Two TikTokers allegedly posed as security guards at this month’s Australian Grand Prix (pictured)
The individuals appeared to don non-branded high-visibility jackets and red lanyards and were seen making their way into Melbourne Park
‘We put on our fake security uniform and walked straight through the entrance, no questions asked,’ a voiceover on the video says.
It added: ‘As fake security, we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted, so we checked out a few spots only we could make it to.’
The pair had also gained access to Red Bull Energy Station, a two-storey lounge that has premium views of the pit lane and main straight at the race track.
The lounge costs $6995 for a three-day entrance pass.
Prior to making their way into the lounge, they had walked over to the side of the track, where they posed behind a fence that separated spectators from the barriers around the racetrack.
‘The crowd did not question us one bit,’ the voice said.
According to The Age, police officers raided multiple homes in Albert Park and South Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon.
It is understood that police seized electronic devices and that a man was arrested. Another is understood to have handed himself in at a police station.
They had also gained access to Red Bull Energy Station, a two-storey lounge that has premium views of the pit lane and main straight at the race track. A three-day pass costs nearly $7000
A voiceover on the video states: ‘We put on our fake security uniform and walked straight through the entrance, no questions asked’
‘They have both been charged with several offences under both the Crimes Act and the Major Events Act,’ a spokesperson for Victoria Police said.
‘The South Melbourne man has been charged with [10] offences, including obtaining financial advantage by deception, making false documents and trespass.
‘The Albert Park man has been charged with seven offences, including obtaining financial advantage by deception, making false document and trespass.’
Both individuals have been granted bail and are due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on June 13.
Police have asked for anyone with more information regarding the alleged security breaches to come forward.