SINGAPORE - Lev Paniflov, a 29-year-old actor and scriptwriter who had appeared in productions by creative agency Wah! Banana, was convicted and sentenced on May 19, 2025, to 11 years and six months in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for raping, sexually assaulting and molesting a woman he met on the dating app Tinder.
The Singapore permanent resident, originally from Russia, had built a modest following through his comedic acting work with Wah! Banana, a popular local content studio known for its viral videos. His on-screen persona as a goofy, likeable performer made the nature of his crimes all the more shocking to those who had watched his work.
The court heard that Paniflov met the victim through Tinder and that the offences took place after they arranged to meet in person. The prosecution presented evidence of a sustained and violent attack, and the judge found the offences to be grave, noting the severe physical and psychological harm inflicted on the victim.
Paniflov contested the charges, but the court found the victim's testimony credible and consistent, rejecting his defence. In sentencing, the judge emphasised the seriousness of sexual violence and the need for a punishment that reflected both retribution and deterrence. The combination of a lengthy custodial term and caning underscored how seriously the courts viewed the case.
The conviction sent ripples through Singapore's creative community. Wah! Banana, the agency he had acted for, moved quickly to distance itself from him, and industry peers expressed dismay at the revelation that someone they had worked alongside was capable of such brutality.
The case also fuelled broader conversations in Singapore about safety on dating apps. Tinder and similar platforms have become one of the most common ways for young Singaporeans to meet romantic partners, and the case served as a grim reminder of the risks involved when online interactions move offline. Women's groups reiterated calls for users to take precautions, such as meeting in public places and informing friends of their whereabouts.
Paniflov's sentence was among the heaviest handed down to a public figure in Singapore in recent years, and it placed him alongside other entertainment personalities convicted of sex crimes, including former actor Ian Fang and former DJ Dee Kosh. For the local entertainment industry, the case was another painful episode in a period marked by a disturbing cluster of sexual offence convictions involving people once regarded as familiar faces on Singapore's screens.