Scam, set-ups, corruption in Bali

One of my close friends was arrested in Bali on suspicion of rape... I'll share what happened next, BUT LET’S START WITH SOME CONTEXT:

Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world, and two of the most serious crimes, from both the police and society's perspective, are crimes against people and drug offenses. This is Fact #1.

Fact #2. Officially working in Bali is something close to a fantasy. It's expensive, impractical, and not widely sought after. You can read more about it in “How to Legalize Your Stay in Bali and Who Can Work” - https://bali-legal.com/en/legalizaciya-na-bali-en.

This situation has given rise to a large “gray area” of people (mostly Russian speakers) who are trying to find ways to financially secure themselves on the island, often through unconventional means.

This article could be a useful guide for both new and experienced entrepreneurs in Bali. It’s something that should be part of every “how-to” guide for visitors to the island.

How does the scam work?

1. Finding the victim

Scammers are on the lookout if you frequently attend public events related to your profession, such as:

They also take notice if you are:

The goal is to single out those who are not just pretending to be successful (and there are MANY on Bali who do this), but those who are ACTUALLY making money.

I’ve even come to admire the effort it takes to find truly wealthy people on the island! Many just create the appearance of success to sell their courses, host expert breakfasts, claim big profits from crypto, and “expand their mindset.” =)

Scammers won’t bother with people who come for short vacations on a $30 tourist visa (VOA). They need to be sure that you’re worth the trouble.

2. Exploiting weaknesses

This is the easiest part. We all have our weaknesses. Some enjoy meeting new women/men, others don’t like to be alone, some care too much about others’ opinions, and some go to Legian Street for massages with transsexuals while smoking weed.

Then there are those with huge egos—people building successful businesses and dismissing all competitors and envious locals (the community in Bali can be VERY envious)...

You get the idea.

They will target your weaknesses accordingly:.

Enjoy women? – Photos with prostitutes followed by blackmail and threats of deportation.
Building a strong legal business? – A tip-off to the immigration service about illegal business activities.
Competition or simply disliked? – A planted drug charge that lands you in jail.
Have money and are open to meeting someone for the night? – A false rape accusation with real prison time…

The list goes on.

There are no "one-size-fits-all" scammers. Each has their own specialized method.

3. The Setup

Around two years ago, there was an active Russian-speaking mafia network on the island, involved in planting drugs in homes, cafes, and offices of entrepreneurs in Bali.

In Indonesia, the penalty for drug possession and trafficking includes the death penalty, and the minimum sentence is 4 to 12 years in prison.

Good luck proving that you never used drugs when nobody is willing to listen.

Imagine being in a place where you don’t know anyone, and everyone—from the police, lawyers, judges, and officials, to the scammers themselves—just wants something from you. And you’re stuck... in a 12-square-meter cell with 20 other prisoners.

Someone who isn’t mentally prepared will very quickly agree to any demands from extortionists, just to get out.

Guys were literally terrorizing the island, keeping expats on edge (or at least making them feel uneasy). This was especially true for entrepreneurs.

Their scheme was refined down to the smallest details, aimed at resolving matters "amicably" before they ever reached the court.

The scammers had lawyers, strong connections within the police force, and deals with the local mafia.

Sometimes, these "set-up artists" didn’t choose this path because they wanted to be scammers but were forced into it after getting caught by the police themselves. They now work off their debt by helping the police with arrests and lining the pockets of local officials.

My acquaintance got caught in a similar setup—not with drugs but with a girl.

You might ask, “How can you ‘set someone up’ with a real person?” Very easily… Someone approaches you, quickly builds rapport, making it seem like there’s a spark between you. And then, suddenly, they disappear with a quick “Sorry, I’ve got to go,” and block you on all messaging apps, heading straight for a medical examination.

And the most bizarre part?

IF YOU'RE LEGALLY MARRIED, YOU CANNOT BE FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE. After all, a married man wouldn’t assault other women!

Welcome to Bali's twisted justice.

4. Arrest and Detainment

"Good morning. This is the police. Open up." That’s how you'll be greeted on an otherwise peaceful Bali morning, just before your life takes an unexpected turn.

I’ve already written about how immigration officers show up for bribes - read more here - https://bali-legal.com/en/deportaciya-na-bali-en.

The process is similar. They invite you to the police station to give a statement regarding a complaint.

If scammers are involved, someone will likely appear before the police do—someone who “already knows about your case and can help.” Whether you listen to them or not is your choice. Personally, I never deal with extortionists.

If you ignore my advice and the police show up, make sure:

If you do end up in police custody, do not sign anything or give any explanations without a lawyer present. They have 48 hours to either release you due to lack of evidence or officially charge you, changing your status from witness to suspect.

You are under no obligation to help them with this process.

Once your status is changed to suspect (which is easily done in cases of drugs or sexual assault with just two pieces of evidence), you’ll be transferred to a small holding cell to await the next steps in the process. The cell will likely hold another 15-20 people, mostly Indonesians. These could be thieves, drug addicts, murderers, etc.

Here, you’ll be held without access to communication, and with very basic food (if you count rice with local soup bakso ayam once a day as a meal, consider it a treat).

You’re being “marinated” like herring in a jar under spicy sauce. The longer you sit there, the more you stew in it. Thoughts of this being long-term become more frequent, more insistent…

And this is when the negotiations for your release begin. It usually takes 4-7 days after the arrest before a person’s emotional state, especially if they aren’t prepared for such hardship, starts to crumble.

5. Negotiations

The cost of your release will always vary. There will be several interrogations, questioning of the accuser’s side, and you’ll either be dragged out of the cell to give statements or completely ignored (depending on your behavior).

DON’T FORGET. THE MAIN GOAL OF THE POLICE IS TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE! IN THIS CASE, TIME IS FULLY ON THEIR SIDE.

It’s tough to estimate exactly how much you’ll have to pay. It’s also often hard to say who exactly is behind it all. You can only make educated guesses based on the demands made at the end. In addition to payment, they often demand that the suspect leave the island and not return. It’s a ridiculous requirement, but lawyers often accept it.

From experience:

These are the "three pillars" that sustain the entire immigration and police apparatus on the island.

For your arrest, several parties will profit:

How to avoid this?

Usually, I end my articles with a call to open a business on Bali. But this article is not quite the usual one. It might make you think: Do you realize that having large sums of money in Bali also means you’ll attract new and interesting experiences? These:

First, you can’t always avoid it. If you’re strong-willed enough and understand that fighting for your rights and freedoms is an integral part of that very freedom, you can prepare for such scenarios, and I hope this article helps.

Second, you can just pay yourself. Like in the 90s. Like in the good old days. Find yourself “protection” and simply hand over the cash. Share the wealth. You can consult our advisors on how to properly organize this if you reach out to them using the form below.

Here are some rough price estimates for expanding your horizons:

If you need more detailed consultation on relocating, opening a business, or legal issues in Bali, please simply CONTACT US via TELEGRAM OR WHATSAPP for quick communication.

Together, we’ll make your life on the island comfortable!