Foreign nationals arrested in Bali whilst attempting to leave for Thailand following obscene video scandal
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has successfully detained two foreign nationals from France and Italy suspected of involvement in an obscene video that went viral on social media and digital platforms. The suspects are identified as MMJ (female, 23, from France) and NBS (male, 24, from Italy), who were apprehended by immigration officers at the departure terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport as they prepared to depart for Thailand.
Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, confirmed the arrest of the two individuals suspected of producing pornographic content posing as an online motorcycle taxi driver. The operation began when immigration intelligence officers tracked the movements of the French national on Friday, 13 March 2026. The suspect had altered her original travel schedule, advancing her departure from 14 March 2026 to Marseille via Singapore to 13 March 2026 to Thailand.
“Our officers had previously observed the obscene video circulating widely across various social media groups. In the video, the face of the female perpetrator was clearly visible, allowing for positive identification,” Kurniawan stated on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Officers also detected indications of attempted deception. This was evident from Instagram stories posted on 13 March 2026 suggesting she had already reached Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. Based on these suspicions, immigration personnel immediately conducted checks at the international departure area of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport. Officers located MMJ accompanied by a male acquaintance, NBS, who is also suspected of involvement in the obscene video production, playing the role of the online motorcycle taxi driver.
The viral video previously depicted an intimate encounter between an online motorcycle taxi driver and a foreign woman, actually portrayed by MMJ. In circulated clips, the male can be seen initially giving MMJ a ride on his motorcycle, followed by explicit scenes.
During the investigation, Badung Police also apprehended a third foreign national, ERB (male, 26, from France), suspected of serving as the video’s manager and uploader to adult content digital platforms. The successful apprehension represents the vigilance and attention to detail of Ngurah Rai Immigration officers in the field.
“Despite the suspects attempting to evade officers by suddenly changing flight schedules and falsifying their social media location, the alertness of our personnel at the international departure terminal successfully prevented their departure,” explained Bugie Kurniawan.
Felucia Sengky Ratna, head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration for Bali, emphasised that immigration authorities in the Bali region are fully committed to taking decisive action against any foreign nationals who violate the law, particularly those engaging in obscene conduct that disturbs Balinese communities. “We will continue to coordinate with relevant law enforcement authorities to ensure that every violation is addressed in accordance with applicable legal procedures,” she stated.
Based on the findings, officers immediately secured both foreign nationals and brought them to the Class I Special Immigration Office at Ngurah Rai Airport. MMJ and NBS were subsequently transferred to Badung Police for legal proceedings and further investigation. Badung Police confirmed that all three foreign nationals will be prosecuted in Indonesia to account for their actions, before subsequent administrative immigration action consisting of deportation.