Two Foreign Nationals Arrested at Bali Airport While Attempting to Flee to Thailand Over Explicit Ride-Hailing Video
Two foreign nationals (WNA) were arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali whilst attempting to flee to Thailand on Friday 13 March 2026. The detainees are MMZL (23), a French woman, and NBS (24), an Italian man, both suspected of producing pornographic content while wearing ride-hailing service (ojol) jackets.
“We arrested them at the airport when they were planning to depart for Thailand. There were indications they were attempting to flee,” said Gde Oki Rizky Aryadhika Heris, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Checkpoint, during a press conference at Badung Police Station on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
The arrests followed profiling by the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of Badung Police, who identified explicit video content allegedly produced within their jurisdiction. Police coordinated with Immigration to add both foreigners to a surveillance watchlist.
“The French woman entered on 21 February using a tourist visa on arrival (VoA). On 11 March, based on public information regarding viral content, she was immediately placed under surveillance,” Gde Oki explained.
In addition to apprehending the video performers, authorities arrested ERB (26), a French national, in Canggu Village, North Kuta District, Badung. He served as manager and uploaded the explicit content to OnlyFans and X platforms.
“The woman performer had an employment-manager relationship with the third suspect (ERB). They met at a nightlife venue in North Kuta,” clarified Badung Police Chief AKBP Joseph Edward Purba on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
Investigation revealed the video was recorded at a villa in Pererenan Village, Mengwi District, Badung, on Sunday 8 March 2026 at approximately 14.40 local time. NBS deliberately wore a ride-hailing service vest purchased for 300,000 rupiah to attract public attention online.
“To gain attention and make it viral, he wore the ride-hailing jacket. The vest was purchased from a shop for 300,000 rupiah and was not from a legitimate ride-hailing service,” Joseph stated firmly.
Police confirmed that the actual ride-hailing driver, who appeared in a viral photograph with the suspects, holds witness status only. Authorities seized evidence including three iPhones, a camera, and the ride-hailing service vest.
“The ride-hailing driver is only a witness because the female suspect frequently used his service for transportation whilst in Bali. To date, the female suspect has made no admission of profiting from the viral video,” Joseph added.