Thefts Targeting Tourists In Bali Travel Hotspots Concern Tourists And Policymakers 

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Tourists in Bali are urged to exercise extra caution when walking around the island’s busiest and most popular resort areas.

As reports of theft and robberies are increasing in Bali’s top vacation hotspots, Governor Wayan Koster launched his Anti-Thug Team to help tackle the issue. 

The updates come after reports of a drive-by robbery against a 60-year-old tourist from Saudi Arabia in the heart of Seminyak. The man known by his initials EKA was accosted by a thief who drove up to him and cornered him while he was walking along on Badangkasa Street on Sunday 9th June 2025. 

Bali Police have just confirmed the details of the attack to the media and are urging tourists to report any incidents of crime to the authorities as quickly as possible. The attack on EKA took place at 9.30 pm on Sunday evening.

The thief is reported to have driven up behind EKA as he was walking along the street, cornered him, and ripped his bag from across his body. Once the thief had the bag, he quickly sped away, leading EKA in distress and calling for help. 

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A source told reporters “At that moment the victim screamed for help while trying to chase, but lost track.” EKA is confirmed to have reported the incident to Bali Police. As confirmed to the media by the Head of Public Relations of Denpasar Regional Police, AKP I Ketut Sukadi who shared “Until now, Kuta Police members are still investigating.”

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Reports of theft against tourists in Bali’s top tourism resorts have been hitting headlines regularly over the last few months.

Just last week Kuta Police confirmed the arrest of a 36-year-old local man who was subsequently found guilty of robbing a tourist from Oman. Each of the robberies reported in recent weeks has a very similar process.

The tourist or tourists in question are attacked by a lone criminal who drives up behind them as they are walking along a quiet street in a tourist resort at night. Criminals appear to be targeting tourists who are clearly wearing high-value jewelry or carrying high-value items such as jewelry, bags, or tech. 

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Speaking to reporters following the arrest of the 36-year-old man known to the media by his initials GA, Badung Police Chief AKBP M Arif Batubara confirmed that the criminal had tracked his victim by driving past him several times.

AKBP Batubara explained “The suspect acted alone using a Yamaha NMax DK 2680 TY motorcycle. Before taking action, the suspect first made sure the victim was careless. Then he came and immediately grabbed the victim’s cellphone and then hit the gas.”

AKBP Batubara confirmed that the victim, a 36-year-old AA from Oman, immediately reported the incident to Kuta Police, who launched an investigation promptly, resulting in the successful arrest.

Officers were able to trace GA’s movement to his boarding house in Kuta and arrest him. They also recovered AA’s iPhone 12 Pro Max.

AKBP Batubara told reporters that GA confessed to his crimes noting “The suspect often ‘plays’ in North Kuta. The suspect was charged with article 363 of the Criminal Code Regarding Theft by Exercration, with the threat of nine years in prison.”

It is not only in the Kuta and Semiyak areas where drive-by robberies are becoming common but in the Uluwatu area too. On the 2nd of June, a Spanish tourist was reported by Nusa Bali to have had her bag stolen by two men on a motorbike who cornered her on Jalan Pande. 

A source told the media “At that time the victim had just finished enjoying the night atmosphere in the Pecatu region. He wants to go back to his accommodation on Labuan Sait Street, Pecatu, South Kuta. At that time the victim was carrying a bag. He met two unknown men. The two men offered to carry their bags. When the victim was careless, the two unknown men immediately ran away.”

However, when contacted for comment, the Head of Public Relations of the Denpasar Regional Police, AKP Ketut Sukadi, told reporters, “I have not received any information regarding the incident.”

Tourists visiting Bali are advised to travel by taxi or pre-organized transport at night, even in well-lit tourist resort areas. While Bali is committed to cracking down on crime against tourists, visitors to the island are also being called to play an active role in ensuring their own safety.

Bali’s new Anti-Thug unit is conducting increased security patrols in top tourism ares and tourists must report any incidents of crime to local authorities as quickly as possible and seek consular support when needed.