Bali Police Arrest Two Suspects in Overseas Job Visa Scam Targeting Indonesian Migrant Workers
Bali Police's Cyber Crime Directorate arrested two suspects, identified as IKS and IGRY, for defrauding Indonesian migrant workers with false promises of jobs in South Korea and Australia. The suspects allegedly claimed they could arrange visas and documents, extracting large sums of money over nearly a year.
Bali Police's Cyber Crime Investigation Directorate (Ditressiber Polda Bali) announced on October 21, 2026, that it had uncovered two online fraud cases targeting Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) seeking jobs abroad. Two suspects, identified by the initials IKS and IGRY, have been named suspects and are being held at a detention facility at Bali Police headquarters.
According to Cyber Crime Director Commissioner Aszhari, both cases followed a similar pattern. The suspects exploited victims' desire for better overseas jobs, promising to arrange visas and documents that turned out to be entirely fictitious.
In the first case, suspect IKS was arrested in Malang, East Java. IKS falsely claimed to have been working in South Korea since 2004 and asserted he could convert a victim's E-9 work visa into an F-2 long-term residency visa, as well as transfer the victim to a more comfortable job sector. Using TikTok and WhatsApp, IKS gradually extorted money from the victim, identified as IWA, between July 2025 and June 2026. The victim reportedly made 56 separate money transfers, with total losses amounting to approximately IDR 295,149,684.
While this case primarily targeted Indonesian migrant workers, it serves as a cautionary example for foreign residents in Bali regarding similar scam tactics involving fake visa agents or document processing services.
Things to Consider
When arranging work visas or long-term residency permits in Bali, always verify the process through the official Immigration Office (Imigrasi) or a licensed, accredited agent. Be cautious of intermediaries who communicate solely via social media or messaging apps, and confirm their official office address and license number before proceeding. If asked to make repeated installment payments, treat this as a red flag for fraud and consult an independent lawyer or relevant authority before transferring any funds.
Source: JPNN.com Bali