In a case of mistaken identity, former DBS Bank CEO Piyush Gupta became the centre of an unexpected social media attention after a former employee shared a glowing tribute about meeting him — only to be told later by Gupta that it wasn't him.
Janney Hujic, an entrepreneur from Singapore and ex-DBS employee, recounted her supposed encounter with Gupta in a LinkedIn post, detailing how she bumped into the man she believed was the former banking heavyweight at a cafe in Bali.
The post, titled, "A Chance Encounter with the Ex-CEO of DBS—In the Last Place I Expected," was filled with admiration and fond reflections of what she thought was a rare meeting.
Hujic, who worked as a senior service executive at DBS Bank in Singapore until 2015, described the man as humble, grounded and lacking any sort of airs.
"What struck me wasn't just the legendary career — transforming DBS into a global digital banking leader — but the humility and presence with which he carried himself. No entourage. No airs. Just quiet conviction," she wrote in the post.
She also shared a photo of herself with the individual she thought was Gupta, adding how impressed she was with his casual composure and encouraging demeanour when she told him about her current venture — an adventure travel company.
"I shared my mission: to empower women through transformative travel — the kind that challenges, heals, and unlocks potential. I told him how deeply retreats and expeditions have changed me and how I now create those experiences for others," she added.
The former employee of the DBS Bank also outlined that he also spoke about the importance of "rest and renewal," highlighting how simple activities like a "beach walk with loved ones or a rugged mountain trek can offer perspective, clarity and strength."
She then went on to write that when she told him about an upcoming all-women expedition in Mongolia, he recognised it as an incredible opportunity for women of all ages to step away from the office and engage in something deeply meaningful.
"That brief moment reminded me: The best leaders don't just inspire with their words—they lead by how they show up in the world," she concluded her post.
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May 21, 2025However, the twist came in the form of a short comment on her post that changed everything. It was from Gupta himself, who wrote, "Sorry to disillusion you. That isn't me!"
Taken aback, Hujic responded with grace and a dose of humour. She wrote, "Oh gosh, I've seen you when I was at DBS, couldn't tell the two apart. Kudos to him. In his defence, he had your charms right on and he said all the right things."
(Photo source: LinkedIn)
In another comment, she shared the moment of realisation with her partner: "I showed my partner Piyush's photo and he jumped up. We both got really excited."
The post quickly turned into a viral sensation, with one user calling the mix-up "hilarious," while comparing it to an episode of The White Lotus, the HBO show.
Another user joked that the man in the photo might soon say he never claimed to be Piyush Gupta. "Waiting for the guy in the picture to come in here and comment he didn't say he was Piyush Gupta," read the comment.
Apart from LinkedIn, the post also made the rounds on X (formerly Twitter). One user humorously imagined the awkward moment Piyush Gupta must face explaining to his wife that he never went to Bali.
Imagine Piyush Gupta explaining his wife that he has not visited Bali 😅🤣😂
May 21, 2025In the end, while she may not have met Piyush Gupta, Janney Hujic certainly captured the internet's attention — and perhaps even made a doppelganger famous in the process.
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