Exposed by Philippine Report, 27 Foreign Nationals Arrested in Kuta Guesthouse for Scam
A case of alleged confinement of dozens of foreign nationals (WNA) in a guesthouse in Kuta, Badung, Bali, was uncovered following a report from the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta. Police subsequently raided the location and secured a total of 27 people suspected of being intended as operators for an online scam.
The raid took place on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Gang Karang Sari, Kedonganan, on Monday afternoon (27/4/2026). From the site, police secured 26 foreign nationals from various countries and one Indonesian national.
“This action is a follow-up to a report from the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta regarding the alleged confinement of Philippine citizens who were to be employed as scam operators,” said the Head of Public Relations for Denpasar Police Resort, Iptu I Gede Adi Saputra Jaya, on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
Rooms Converted into Workspaces
The raid was conducted by Kuta Police Sector alongside Denpasar Police Resort. Inside the guesthouse, officers found several foreign nationals and an Indonesian national residing at the location.
Several rooms on the second floor were found to have been converted into workspaces equipped with electronic devices such as laptops and a Starlink internet connection.
“From the examination results, officers found that several rooms on the second floor had been modified into workspaces equipped with electronic devices like laptops and a Starlink internet network,” he said.
Among those secured, there were citizens from the Philippines and Kenya who lacked passport documents.
Attributes Resembling Law Enforcement
During the raid, police also confiscated dozens of mobile phones, laptops, iPads, internet devices, and items resembling foreign law enforcement agencies.
“Currently, all the secured foreign nationals are undergoing data collection and intensive examination by a joint team from Denpasar Police Resort, Kuta Police Sector, the Criminal Investigation Directorate, and the Cyber Directorate of Bali Provincial Police to delve deeper into the alleged criminal acts,” he added.
Police are also coordinating with Bali Immigration to trace the status of the foreign nationals.
Police Pursue Modus Operandi and Network
Denpasar Police Resort is now investigating the type of scam and the possibility of a larger network behind this case. The Head of Criminal Investigation for Denpasar Police Resort, Kompol Agus Riwayanto Diputra, stated that his team is still working around the clock.
“I will update on the developments later. Currently, the team is still intensively investigating the disclosure,” said Agus when confirmed by detikBali on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
Investigators are focused on gathering evidence and extracting statements from those secured.
Previously, police raided the same location on Monday (27/4) and secured dozens of people suspected of being victims of confinement to be used as scam operators.
Locals Unaware, Activities Concealed
This case shocked nearby residents because the activities at the guesthouse had appeared normal from the outside.
Observations by detikBali at the location on Tuesday (28/4/2026) showed the building had been cordoned off by police tape. The front gate was closed, with a sign reading “The Dorm is Full Boarding House Full”. The interior appeared quiet.
A foreign national from India who had previously stayed there admitted to having lived in the place for several months before being asked to move out within two days due to new tenants.
He expressed shock at the alleged confinement. During his stay, he felt comfortable and saw nothing suspicious.
From the Outside Quiet, Inside Mysterious
A neighbour living directly across from the location also claimed not to have seen any suspicious activities. He only saw people coming and going occasionally.
“There were just people coming and going like that. Indonesian people coming and going who seemed to be washing bedsheets,” he said on Tuesday (28/4/2026).
He noted that the guesthouse owner is an Indonesian citizen, while the tenants were said to be Chinese. He had even tried to rent a room but was not allowed.
“I initially wanted to book a room there for my parents. But here they wouldn’t let me, saying Chinese people aren’t allowed,” he added.
Another neighbour, Ahmad, also claimed not to know about the activities inside the guesthouse.
“Yeah, it was normal, like a boarding house. But I don’t really know what’s going on behind it,” he said.
He added that the place was usually busy during New Year celebrations, but the activities inside were tightly concealed.
“Last night I was shocked to see so many people and police arriving. The neighbours didn’t know either because the door is really closed off. As soon as someone enters, it’s shut again,” he revealed.
To date, police are still investigating the case to uncover the network behind the scam practices and to ensure protection for the victims.