Indian Tourist Allegedly Hypnotised in Bali, Rp 23.31 Million Stolen from Hotel Room

Denpasar Police are investigating an alleged theft using hypnosis that targeted an Indian national in the Kuta area of Badung, Bali. The victim, identified by the initials SOM (45), reported a total loss of Rp 23.31 million after being approached by a seemingly friendly individual who engaged him in conversation. The incident occurred on Monday, 29 June 2026, at around 5.30 p.m. local time near the Golden Tulip Hotel on Jalan Sunset Road. The victim stated that cash amounting to US$100, 9 million Vietnamese dong, 60,000 Indian rupees, and Rp 6 million, which had been stored in a drawer in his hotel room, was missing. According to the victim’s account, as he was about to go out for a meal with his child, they were approached by a man accompanied by a woman and two children. The man initiated a conversation about the victim’s home country and then asked him to smell a substance that was claimed to have a pleasant aroma. After smelling the substance, the victim and his child reported feeling dizzy and unwell. The perpetrator then put the victim into his car, while the victim’s child was asked to show the location of their hotel, ostensibly to retrieve money. At around 6.00 p.m., the victim and his child returned to the hotel. Still feeling unwell, the victim cancelled their meal plans and went straight to their room, where they discovered the money was gone from the drawer. The victim subsequently reported the incident to the Denpasar Police. Authorities have conducted a series of investigations, including processing the crime scene, reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area, and taking statements from the victim and several witnesses. The police have urged the public, particularly tourists, to be more vigilant against unknown individuals offering something or attempting to interact in a suspicious manner.