Denpasar. Bali police have uncovered an alleged international cyber scamming operation based in a guest house in Kedonganan, Kuta, Badung.

The Bali Regional Police and Denpasar Police initially launched the operation last week after receiving a report of suspected kidnapping and unlawful detention. However, further investigation revealed what police believe to be a coordinated transnational cybercrime network operating out of the property.

Authorities detained 30 people during the raid, including 26 foreign nationals and four Indonesians.

The Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Bali Police, Senior Commissioner I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman, said the findings pointed to planned and organized preparations for large-scale international scamming activities.

“Yes, it is strongly suspected that there were plans and preparations for transnational or international scamming crimes,” Mulyawarman said on Wednesday.

“We found evidence of people being housed and trained, along with communications indicating broader criminal intent, including training scenarios related to weapons handling, narcotics in large quantities, and other forms of crime, as well as preparation of additional safe houses.”

Police said they seized a range of evidence during the raid, including training scripts, electronic communication networks, and materials allegedly used to impersonate international law enforcement officers to deceive victims. Investigators said the group’s intended modus operandi involved defrauding victims overseas through schemes linked to narcotics and weapons-related narratives.

Of the 26 foreign nationals detained, individuals came from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Kenya, and the Philippines. Eleven of them were found to be without valid travel documents, while the remainder were in Indonesia on tourist or visit visas.

All foreign nationals have been handed over to the immigration office at Ngurah Rai Airport for deportation due to administrative immigration violations.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as they work to determine the full structure and scope of the alleged criminal network.

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