Foreign Nationals Use Toilet Excuse and CCTV Tampering to Steal from Badung Pharmacy

A theft involving a distraction technique was captured on CCTV at a pharmacy in Badung, Bali. Two foreign nationals, believed to be from the Middle East, stole money from the cash register at Wedanta Farma Pharmacy on Jalan Raya Abianbase-Kapal, Mengwi, on Sunday (28/6/2026).

According to pharmacy employee Febi, the incident began when a man entered asking for medication. ‘Initially, one man came in asking for medicine, but we said we didn’t have it. He then asked for another type of medicine for nerve pain. He kept asking questions, so we had to fetch the medicine, especially since we are not very fluent in English,’ Febi explained on Thursday (2/7/2026).

As the situation became more relaxed, a woman entered the pharmacy and asked to use the toilet. While being escorted to the toilet at the back of the shop, the female suspect deliberately turned the CCTV camera away from the cash register area to avoid detection. ‘She came out of the toilet and started talking to me while touching the CCTV, moving it around. I explained it was a CCTV camera. Then she distracted me by talking and flattering me, saying ’you so beautiful’ to make me turn my head,’ Febi added.

With Febi’s attention diverted, the male suspect approached the cash register under the pretence of using the computer for Google Translate. He confused another employee, Desak, by speaking a mix of Arabic and English, and then reached into the cash drawer. ‘When he opened the cash drawer, we were so naive. He took Rp 100,000 and Rp 50,000 notes, claiming he was looking for new banknotes to give as change. When we checked the sales at around 10 p.m. before closing, we realised Rp 700,000 was missing,’ Febi stated.

Pharmacy owner Gede Pradnyana (30) was notified by his employees shortly after the theft was discovered. Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, he found the suspects’ faces were clearly visible. ‘When I checked the recording, the suspects’ faces were very clear. Fortunately, the camera was pointing towards the cash register because the female suspect had moved it earlier when she was warned by my employee,’ Gede Pradnyana said.

Gede coordinated with the shop owner, I Gede Sudarma (46), the following day and contacted the local neighbourhood head to disseminate information to other business owners to increase vigilance. ‘The police came to see me last night. Our loss is Rp 700,000, but it is important that other residents and shop owners do not fall victim to a similar trick,’ he stressed.

Mengwi Police confirmed they have received the report and immediately launched an investigation. Officers have secured evidence, including CCTV footage clearly showing the suspects’ faces. ‘The steps taken include receiving the report, visiting the crime scene, conducting a scene examination, and taking initial statements from the reporter and witnesses. We have also checked CCTV around the pharmacy to track down the two foreign nationals,’ said Mengwi Police Chief Kompol Anak Agung Gede Rai Darmayasa on Thursday.