Justin Bieber Impersonator Runs Up $10,000 Tab in Las Vegas Nightclub Scam

A Las Vegas nightclub learned the hard way that you should always say you’re sorry when it became the stage for an audacious celebrity hoax. An impersonator convincingly posing as global pop sensation Justin Bieber was not only given VIP treatment but also invited on stage to perform, all while running up a massive bar tab before the elaborate ruse was finally uncovered.

The incident unfolded on the night of August 16 at the upscale XS nightclub at the Wynn resort. The individual, identified as Dylan Desclos, arrived with an entourage, successfully mimicking the aura of a celebrity entourage. His team reportedly worked the room in advance, building anticipation for the star’s apparent arrival. The impersonator’s look was convincing enough at a glance, complete with the singer’s signature hairstyle and a pair of sunglasses worn indoors.

How To Spot a Fake Celebrity Impersonator

The scheme reached its peak when DJ Gryffin, a well-known electronic music artist, invited the man he believed to be Justin Bieber to join him on stage. The duo performed a rendition of Bieber’s hit song ‘Sorry’ to the cheering crowd. However, keen-eyed attendees and social media users quickly began to notice discrepancies. Videos uploaded online raised immediate red flags, with commenters pointing out that the performer refused to remove his sunglasses and that the tattoos visible on his body did not match the real singer’s extensive inkwork.

Club security and management eventually caught on to the deception. According to reports, the realization dawned after the performance concluded. The individual and his group were promptly ejected from the premises. While the $10,000 bar tab accumulated by the group was reportedly settled, the Wynn resort issued a lifetime ban against the impersonator, ensuring he would not be able to pull the same stunt again. DJ Gryffin later addressed the incident on social media, expressing his regret and attributing the mistake to the challenging conditions of a dark venue and loud music.

The Anatomy of a High-Stakes Hoax

This event highlights the surprising effectiveness of a confident impersonator and the frenzy that can surround A-list celebrities in a place like Las Vegas. The success of the scam, albeit temporary, relied on several factors: a convincing physical resemblance from a distance, a pre-planned narrative spread by his associates, and the general excitement and chaos of a packed nightclub environment. For venues, it serves as a cautionary tale to implement more rigorous verification processes for high-profile guests to prevent financial loss and protect their brand’s integrity.

The incident underscores the lengths to which impersonators will go and the vulnerabilities even high-security venues can face in the heat of the moment.