Jakarta Woman Trapped in Bali Land Mafia Scheme, Rp 24.7 Billion Lost
The dream of owning a strategic plot of land in the Jimbaran area of Badung turned into a nightmare. A woman from West Jakarta, initialled SN, has had to swallow losses of up to Rp 24.7 billion after buying land that was later found to be problematic and in dispute.
The incident began when the victim, along with her business partner Desak, received an offer to buy land described as “clear and clean”. Intrigued by the offer, SN proceeded with a series of payments, starting with Rp 500 million as a down payment, followed by Rp 20 billion, and an additional Rp 4.27 billion.
The total funds deposited amounted to Rp 24.7 billion. However, in October 2024, the victim only realised that the land could not be transacted due to its disputed status.
The victim’s efforts to demand a refund were unsuccessful. Yet, the Sales and Purchase Agreement stated that if the object was problematic, the money must be returned.
The case was subsequently reported to the Bali Regional Police in March 2025. In her report, the victim suspected criminal acts of fraud, embezzlement, and entering false information into documents as regulated under Article 378 of the Criminal Code, Article 372 of the Criminal Code, and Article 266 of the Criminal Code.
The victim’s legal representative, I Made “Ariel” Suardana, emphasised that the facts of overlapping ownership and a history of disputes indicate strong evidence of land mafia practices.
“This land object is not only problematic but is also suspected of being sold by parties without full authority. There are even multiple ownership claims on the same object. This must be thoroughly investigated,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (18/3/2026).
He also highlighted suspicions of negligence and involvement of certain parties in facilitating the transaction.
“If from the start it was known there was a dispute and even a case history, the transaction should not have proceeded. This raises suspicions of roles by parties who actually smoothed the way,” he stressed.
Overlapping Land Ownership
The land object in question is a 22,790 square metre plot with Certificate of Ownership (SHM) Number 17327 located in Jimbaran Village. During the transaction process, the land was offered as if it had clear ownership status and no issues.
However, the facts on the ground tell a different story. Based on initial documents, the land is registered in the names of several parties, namely I Made Sukanata, I Nyoman Sudirga, I Ketut Soka, I Nyoman Sulendra, and I Made Sudana. The sale was conducted through a party claiming to be the attorney, Bun Djokosudarmo, based on Power of Attorney to Sell Number 05 dated 2 July 2024.
In developments, the victim discovered that the land object does not have singular ownership. The same plot is also claimed by other parties, including Komang Dewata, Wayan Wirasnada, and an entity named Jimbaran Property (JP).
Not only that, the land has also been the subject of several previous legal cases, even with court decisions unfavourable to the parties claiming ownership. This condition strengthens the suspicion that the land is in dispute and unfit for sale.
Ironically, during the transaction process from July to August 2024, the victim claims she never received information about the disputed status. Yet, the transaction was facilitated by a land deed official (PPAT) who legally has the obligation to check the administration and legal status of the object.
To date, the legal process is still ongoing, and several witnesses have been examined. However, no suspects have been named in the case involving losses of tens of billions of rupiah.
This case has once again come under the spotlight as an example of suspected land mafia practices in Bali, using methods that exploit administrative loopholes and buyers’ ignorance of the land’s legal status.