Mangupura, Bali. Indonesian immigration authorities have detained 13 foreign nationals in a joint operation targeting suspected immigration violations linked to prostitution in three popular tourist areas in Bali, officials said Friday.

The operation, conducted Thursday evening in Umalas, Seminyak, and Canggu in Badung regency, followed public complaints and investigations into alleged misuse of residence permits, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said.

The joint team, comprising officers from Ngurah Rai Immigration, the Bali Immigration Directorate General regional office and Bali Police, began operations at 5 p.m. local time.

The detainees include 12 women and one man from Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan.

Suspected Prostitution and Immigration Violations
In Canggu, officers detained a Russian woman identified as IP at a villa. Authorities suspect she was misusing her remote worker residence permit, which remains valid until Nov. 8, 2026, to provide prostitution services allegedly arranged through WhatsApp.

Officers subsequently detained a Ukrainian man identified as OG at an apartment in the area for allegedly facilitating the activity. His investor temporary residence permit expired on Oct. 14, 2025.

In Seminyak, authorities investigated an online platform allegedly used to promote prostitution before conducting surveillance at a villa on Jalan Bidadari.

They detained three Nigerian women — JFP, ECM and HOU — whose internship program visit permits had expired. Officials said JFP had overstayed by 58 days, ECM by 94 days, and HOU by 134 days.

In Umalas, officers used Telegram channels to conduct preliminary investigations before detaining four women at a villa. Three were Russian nationals identified as DK, AG, and KS, while the fourth, AS, was from Kazakhstan.

A follow-up investigation at another location in Umalas led to the detention of four additional Nigerian women identified as HBO, MOL, GO, and TE, who allegedly committed similar immigration violations.

Bali Immigration Office head Ramdhani said the operation began with information from the public and involved field investigations, undercover work, and verification through online platforms.

“This is a firm action by immigration authorities, together with the police, to keep Bali safe, uphold the law and protect the tourism industry,” Ramdhani said Friday.

Raja Ulul Azmi Syahwali, head of the immigration intelligence and enforcement division, said the women had allegedly been involved in prostitution since June 2026 and moved between several cities in Indonesia.

He said clients, many of whom were foreign nationals, allegedly arranged meetings through Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms. The services reportedly cost millions of rupiah per encounter.

The 13 detainees are undergoing further examination for potential violations of Article 75 of Law No. 6/2011 on Immigration, as well as possible criminal offenses.

If violations are established, authorities may impose immigration sanctions, including deportation and a five-year entry ban. Criminal proceedings may also follow if investigators identify evidence of criminal activity.

The detainees remain at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office while officers examine their identities, travel documents, immigration status, and individual statements to determine the next legal and immigration measures.

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