EYEWITNESS NEWS – POLDA BALI
21.October.2026
The Bali Cyber Crime Directorate of the Bali Regional Police (Ditres Siber Polda Bali) has successfully uncovered two online fraud cases targeting Indonesian migrant workers abroad and individuals seeking employment overseas. Police have detained two suspects, identified by their initials IKS and IGRY.
The arrests were announced by the Director of Cyber Crime at the Bali Police, Senior Commissioner (Kombes) Aszhari Kurniawan, S.H., S.I.K., M.Si., accompanied by Sub-Directorate 1 Head AKBP R. Moch Dwi Ramadhanto, S.H., S.I.K., M.H., M.Tr.Opsla., Operations Planning Head AKBP I Ketut Sugiarta Yogha, S.H., and Public Relations Sub-Division Head AKBP Rina Isriana Dewi, S.I.K., during a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.
Kombes Aszhari explained that the investigation stemmed from two official police reports: LP/B/845/IX/2026/SPKT/Polda Bali dated Sept. 30, 2026, and LP/B/791/IX/2026/SPKT/Polda Bali dated Sept. 15, 2026. Acting on these reports, the Bali Police Cyber Crime team conducted an intensive investigation, leading to the identification and apprehension of both suspects.
“Both cases share a similar modus operandi, where the perpetrators exploited the victims’ desire to secure better employment abroad. The victims were promised assistance with visa processing, administrative documents, and job placements, but none of these promises materialized,” Aszhari stated.
Case 1: The South Korea Visa Scam
The first suspect, IKS, allegedly carried out a scam offering visa modification and job transfer services in South Korea. The suspect claimed to have lived and worked in South Korea since 2004, asserting he had the connections to help victims upgrade their E-9 work visas to F-2 long-term residency permits.
The case began on July 19, 2025, when the victim, identified as IWA, was contacted via TikTok by an account under the handle @mtwehs1. The account convinced the victim that IKS could facilitate work permit documentation through a lawyer in South Korea. The victim was subsequently directed to communicate with the suspect via WhatsApp. During the chat, the suspect offered visa processing services while promising to transfer the victim from the fishing sector to alternative jobs, such as food canning factories, plastic manufacturing, laundries, machinery assembly, restaurants, or public area sanitation.
To gain the victim’s trust, the suspect gradually extorted money under various pretexts, including identity processing fees, apartment rentals, visa administration, notary services, immigration fees, and personal expenses.
The victim’s older brother, I Kadek Sudianta, was also drawn into sending a total of Rp16.5 million across four separate bank transfers to support the document processing costs.
The transactions continued through June 2026, resulting in a total of 56 money transfers. Consequently, the victim suffered a financial loss reaching Rp295,149,684. To date, the promised visa processing and job transfers have never been fulfilled.
Police arrested IKS on Jalan Melati, Sekarpuro Village, Pakis, Malang, East Java. Officers seized two mobile phones—a blue Motorola G06 Power and a black Samsung Galaxy A07—believed to have been used in the suspect’s communications.
Case 2: The Australia Tattoo Expo Scam
In the second case, the suspect IGRY allegedly scammed a victim by offering an employment opportunity in Australia tied to a Tattoo Expo event.
The incident began in November 2024 when the victim searched for overseas job openings in Australia via a Facebook group. The victim was subsequently contacted by a Facebook account offering a job opportunity in Australia under the guise of participating in a Tattoo Expo.
Further communication continued via WhatsApp with an individual with the initials IGRY, who claimed the victim could take the place of another candidate who had canceled their departure. The suspect then demanded Rp18 million for registration and departure administration fees.
The victim complied and made payments in installments. However, once the full amount was transferred, the promised departure schedule never materialized, leaving the victim facing financial losses.
Following up on the report, the Bali Police Cyber Crime team tracked down and arrested IGRY on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, along the Denpasar-Gilimanuk Highway in Yeh Sumbul Village, Jembrana.
From the suspect, investigators seized a green iPhone 13 allegedly used to communicate with the victim.
Both suspects are currently undergoing further investigation and are being held in detention at the Bali Police Detention Center.
Charged Under ITE Law and Criminal Code
For their alleged actions, both suspects face charges under Article 28 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 45A Paragraph (1) of Law No. 1/2024 on the Second Amendment to Law No. 11/2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE), which carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison and/or a fine of up to Rp1 billion.
Additionally, the suspects are charged under Article 492 of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP) regarding fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of four years and/or a fine of up to Rp500 million.
In light of these incidents, Kombes Aszhari urged the public to remain vigilant against online scams utilizing social media and messaging apps, particularly those involving overseas job offers, visa processing, and travel documentation services.
”We remind the public—especially Indonesian migrant workers abroad and prospective workers planning to go overseas—not to easily trust offers that promise quick and easy solutions. Always verify the legality of the service provider and do not rush into transferring money before confirming the authenticity of the information,” he emphasized.
He added that anyone who encounters suspicious offers or believes they are a victim of fraud should immediately report it to the police for prompt action.
”The Bali Police are committed to steadfastly enforcing the law against online fraud. We also invite all members of the public to improve their digital literacy and always verify information before conducting digital transactions,” he concluded. “Through this disclosure, the Bali Police remind everyone to exercise caution when receiving online job offers or document processing services, ensuring that hopes for a better life and livelihood are not exploited by irresponsible parties.”
Reporter: Daniel Herry
