Scammers in Bali Become More Agile, Adopting Digital Nomad Patterns
Scammers conducting online fraud in Bali are no longer static. The Bali Police’s Cyber Crime Directorate (Ditressiber) has revealed that the perpetrators are now moving quickly, shifting locations in a manner akin to the ‘digital nomad’ work pattern to avoid pursuit by authorities.
Bali Police Cyber Crime Director, Senior Commissioner Aszhari Kurniawan, stated that his unit has received several reports related to scams with victims among the local population in Bali. These reports are currently under investigation.
“Regarding the scams occurring in Bali, particularly those affecting local victims, there are indeed several reports that have come to us, and they are currently in the process of examination or investigation,” he said on Thursday (30/4/2026).
He explained that the number of online fraud reports received by the police fluctuates each month.
“As for the numbers, they are certainly fluctuating every month, with the volume of reports or public complaints about online fraud rising and falling,” he added.
Aszhari disclosed that the modus operandi used by the perpetrators is not much different from previous scam practices. However, the high mobility of the perpetrators has become the primary concern for the authorities.
“It’s similar to cases that have occurred before; they move from place to place. In other words, digital nomads, carrying out activities such as online gambling or scams. They seek out places they consider safe, including Bali,” he explained.
According to him, Bali is often chosen due to its character as an international tourist destination that is crowded, allowing the perpetrators’ activities to be camouflaged.
“Some individuals choose Bali because their activities can be more concealed. With the abundance of tourists, their presence is not too conspicuous. In places with fewer foreign tourists, they would naturally be more easily suspected,” he said.
He added that when authorities begin enforcement actions in a certain location, the perpetrators tend to quickly move to another place to avoid raids.
On the other hand, the Bali Police Cyber Crime Directorate has also highlighted suspicions involving dozens of foreign nationals (WNA) who were allegedly held captive in a guesthouse in the Kuta area, Badung, some time ago, and forced to act as admins in scam operations.
Bali Police has assured that it will follow up on this information by coordinating with the National Police Headquarters (Mabes Polri) and the Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim).
“We will follow up and coordinate with Mabes Polri and Bareskrim Cyber,” he emphasised.
Bali Police has affirmed that it will continue to thoroughly investigate every report received and enhance surveillance of potential cyber crimes, particularly those conducted in an organised manner across regions.