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Money Changer In Bali Closed Down After Scamming Tourists Out Of Hundreds Of Dollars

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Money changer outlets in Kuta have been the source of much interest from the authorities in recent weeks. After a series of checks from the Bank of Indonesia and the Public Civil Service (Saptol PP), it was found that over a dozen outlets in the Kuta area were operating outside of the law. 

This week the authorities closed down another outlet after tourists complained that the teller short-changed them by hundreds of dollars. The couple, who are from Australia, told their host that the outlet had not only given them a poor exchange rate but not given them the agreed amount. Whatsmore, they did not issue receipts for the exchange. Their host helped them contact the local authorities to see what could be done about the situation.

The chairman of the Legian Village Community Empowerment Institution (LPM), I Wayan Puspa Negara told local newspapers that ‘It happened two days ago. The tourists feel that there is a shortage of IDR 2.2 million in exchange’. 

According to Negara, the tourists exchanged a large sum of US dollars at the Kuta outlet. The rate they were told was IDR 14,000 for 1 USD which at that time was an accurate exchange rate.

Only when the couple got back to their accommodation and counted the cash, they discovered that they were IDR 2.2 million short meaning either the exchange rate they were given was exceptionally poor, or they were actively short-changed. Local reports suggest that the couple was looking to exchange USD 700 for Indonesian rupiah. 

The couple is said to have returned to the outlet and made their feelings known about the issue at hand. The outlet owner is said to have made peace with the couple and given them a fair amount of money.

Negara told the press that ‘Tourists are at peace because their money is returned. I was forced to cut off the electricity for a shock effect for them [while talking to the owner]. Because our authority is limited, these are the Satpol PP, the police, BI, and the Association of Foreign Exchange Traders (APVA)’. 

Credit: NusaBali

After the issue was resolved with the couple, Negara and the Legian Village Community Empowerment Institution closed down the outlet on the grounds that they were operating fraudulently. The electricity remains unplugged and the shop cannot open.

He told the reporters that the Bank of Indonesia and the APVA has been informed so that greater legal action can be taken. He suspects that there may be more outlets like this operating in the area. 

Other local newspapers have reported how a total of 16 outlets have been closed down in recent weeks following the audits from the Bank of Indonesia and Saptol PP. The audits largely found that although the outlets were giving proper exchange rates, they did not have up-to-date business permits and licensing.

The authorities gave the money changers a few weeks to get their paperwork in order. Some have failed to do so which is why the local leaders have stepped in. 

The closing of the facilities has been organized by the local traditional village management and security teams known in Bali as Pecalang. The teams have sealed off 16 outlets in the Kuta areas.

One of the leaders of the village authorities Wayan Wasista told NusaBali that ‘”I emphasize, the Kuta Traditional Village has never prohibited people from doing business, as long as it is done according to the applicable rules and regulations. This step is not prohibiting, but protecting Kuta, which we love, from negative things. Please try, but obey the rules and complete the permissions. If it’s incomplete, it’s the same as illegal,”

Wasista later explained that no legal action is being taken at this time but that if any of these 16 outlets try to reopen before they have their paperwork in order, the local village authorities will take them to court. 

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Wayan Bo

Wednesday 20th of July 2022

The best money changer ever: Masaja in Kuta near the police station

Shorty

Tuesday 19th of July 2022

Some other precautions... Places offering exchange rates well above the going rate. Don't exchange where commision is charged. Commision can vary and the calculator can be doctored. Use your phone calculator to cross check the amount being given. Count your money in front of the staff member as soon as it's given to you.

Wayan Brapa

Sunday 17th of July 2022

It's lucky they couldn't afford to bribe the police or they'd still be in business like The Goat bar in Seminyak.

Firechef

Monday 18th of July 2022

@Wayan Brapa, Bribe the Police? Naw, not on Bali, wkwkwk! Police on Bali all wear halo's and are as pure as snow, lmfao. Same as Customs Officers. Hahaha!!!!

Ex tourist

Sunday 17th of July 2022

If action is not taken against crimes like these, it will lead to negative reputation, and may end up pushing tourists away from Bali.

Vi

Sunday 17th of July 2022

Why not change your money at your hotel.

James

Monday 18th of July 2022

@Vi, Hotel rates aren't as good. Tourists should always use official money changers such as BMC or Bali Best Rate or as Karen North says in her post, the exchange office in most cases should be airconditioned and some even have security guards at front. If you see a lot of expats going in/out then you know its trusted. If the rate ends in a "9" then it is definitely fake.