Not Hypnosis: Foreign Nationals Steal Money from Algerian Tourist in Ubud Using Sleight of Hand

Two foreign nationals from Pakistan and Iran, who stole money belonging to an Algerian tourist identified by the initials IS on Monkey Forest Road, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, have been arrested by the police. The suspects, identified as MS and ZI, employed a sleight-of-hand technique to steal 150 Euros from the victim.

“It was not hypnosis. They used sleight of hand,” stated Gianyar Police Chief AKBP James Rajagukuk during a press conference at his office on Tuesday (29/09/2026).

James explained that the incident began while IS was walking leisurely with his wife on Monkey Forest Road on 16 September 2026, at 5:37 PM WITA. IS was suddenly approached by MS and ZI in front of a shop.

MS, ZI, and IS engaged in conversation. MS used small talk, claiming to be a Turkish citizen intending to travel to Algeria. The 36-year-old then asked IS which currency was used in Algeria.

IS was initially suspicious due to the heavy Arabic accent despite MS claiming to be Turkish. However, IS ignored his suspicions, and the conversation continued when he was asked to show his cash, amounting to 400 Euros.

“It was not hypnosis. They made the person lose focus using sleight of hand. The victim was engaged in conversation, then asked to show the money, which was then handled by the perpetrator. That was when the perpetrator used the sleight-of-hand technique,” said James.

James noted that after MS and ZI acted, the conversation ended. As IS became increasingly suspicious of MS and ZI, he eventually checked his money.

It was then that IS realised 150 Euros were missing. The theft committed by MS and ZI was subsequently reported to the police.

“A day after the incident, we immediately pursued them. According to information we received, they were driving a rental car from West Java. We pursued them to West Java, but the car had already moved to Surabaya. When we pursued them to Surabaya, the car had moved again to Blora, Central Java. It was there that we apprehended MS and ZI,” he said.

It was previously reported that MS and ZI did not act alone. They were in conspiracy with two other Iranian men. They were arrested alongside MS and ZI at a hotel in Blora.

During interrogation in Blora, the two Iranian men admitted to having previously stolen watches in Denpasar. Consequently, the two Iranian men caught in the operation were handed over to the Denpasar Police for legal processing.