Rise in Snatching Incidents Disguised as Online Taxis Prompts Large-Scale Raids by Badung Police
Badung Police are preparing to conduct large-scale raids to regulate fraudulent online taxi (ojol) drivers who frequently use safety attributes as a modus operandi for street crimes. This decisive step is being taken following a surge in snatching incidents in the Kuta Utara tourist area involving perpetrators disguised in online taxi attire.
As part of a massive prevention effort, local police are collaborating with all online transportation service providers to tighten field supervision. The police have emphasised that there will be zero tolerance for anyone who dares to misuse online taxi attributes to carry out criminal activities.
“This week, we will hold a declaration with online taxi providers following a previous coordination meeting aimed at reducing crime rates. The local government and application providers are very supportive of this enforcement measure,” said Badung Deputy Chief of Police, Commissioner I Ketut Agus Pasek Sudina, on Tuesday (15/09/2026).
“Field raids will be conducted consistently every day to take action against drivers who do not comply with regulations. The primary targets are riders without number plates, those using fake plates, and users of online taxi jackets who are not official partners,” he added.
The phenomenon of fraudulent online taxi attributes has recently been suspected as a strategy or framing technique used by criminals to find targets in high-crime areas. Police believe this disguise is intentionally used so that perpetrators can monitor situations freely without triggering suspicion from local residents.
“Those attributes are merely used as framing to find and target potential victims on the streets. This is something we must prevent together,” said Pasek Sudina.
“We urge the public, especially in Kuta Utara, to be more vigilant and cooperate in monitoring the movements of criminals. We want to ensure that tourists are guaranteed safety during their visit to Bali,” he asserted.
In addition to partnering with application providers, Badung Police are also strengthening the integrated community security system (siskamling) in the Kuta Utara area. Strict supervision will rely on joint personnel involving various community security elements, as well as the installation of surveillance cameras.
“We have strengthened the Satkamling in Kuta Utara alongside Linmas, Pecalang, and security officers from local businesses. We are intensifying the community security pattern and increasing the installation of CCTV at high-risk points,” said Pasek Sudina.
“A stern warning to street criminals: do not attempt to act within the Badung Police jurisdiction because we will not hesitate to take firm and measured action. If anyone persists, we and the community will not hesitate to apprehend them,” he continued.
This tightening of security measures was triggered by the snatching of a 22-gram gold necklace worth Rp 38.9 million belonging to a Malaysian national on Jalan Pangkung Sari, Kerobokan. The perpetrator, identified by the initials IWJ (29), was apprehended by a joint team after being caught monitoring his target while wearing an online taxi vest before carrying out the robbery.
“We are releasing this C4 or robbery case as evidence that the Bali Regional Police Criminal Investigation Directorate and the Badung Police URC are highly attentive to maintaining public order and security. This also serves as a stern warning that there should be no more street crimes in our territory,” concluded Pasek Sudina.