The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, together with Bali Police, carried out a large-scale operation simultaneously in three popular tourist areas — Canggu, Seminyak and Umalas. The nighttime raids resulted in the detention of 13 foreign nationals — 12 women and one man — suspected of arranging and offering sexual services online.
Investigators picked up the group's trail thanks to tip-offs from local residents. To gather evidence, immigration officers worked undercover: they monitored specialised websites and tracked the channels used to advertise the services on Telegram and WhatsApp.
Clients were sought mainly among other foreigners on the island, and the rates varied depending on the women's nationality. Seven sex workers from Nigeria charged from $570 (~10.1 million rupiah) per hour, and some of them had visas that had expired between 58 and 134 days earlier.
The women from Russia and Kazakhstan — four Russian nationals and one Kazakh national — charged considerably more for their services, with rates reaching $780 (around Rp 13.9 million) per hour. Both short-time and long-time services were offered.
The only man detained was a Ukrainian national identified by the initials OG. According to investigators, he was involved in organising the operation and connecting the women with clients. He was arrested at the Umalas Signature apartment complex after a Russian woman, identified as IP, was detained at Nook restaurant in Canggu.
IP was staying in Bali on a valid remote worker KITAS and reportedly accepted bookings through WhatsApp. Investigators said OG arranged her work and connected her with clients. OG, meanwhile, was staying in Bali on an investor KITAS that had expired on 14 October 2025.
Another Russian woman, identified as KS, held a D12 pre-investment visa, while the other foreign nationals detained in the operation were staying in Indonesia on tourist visas or visas on arrival (VoA).
Messages found on the seized phones showed that OG and IP had been in regular contact since June. Investigators said their conversations included detailed discussions about how the earnings would be divided.
For the women, the case is expected to result in deportation and a five-year ban on entering Indonesia. OG, however, could face criminal charges. Police believe his actions may fall under Indonesia’s laws on procuring and human trafficking (TPPO).
I Made Dimas Widyantara, deputy head of criminal investigations at Bali Police, said:
“The communication between them was fairly intensive, and their aim was to make a profit. We have witness statements, digital evidence and cash. There are grounds for charges under the human trafficking provisions.”
OG now faces a possible prison sentence of up to 15 years. Ramdani, head of the Bali regional immigration office, said:
“We fully support tourism in Bali, but we will not turn a blind eye to violations of the law, visa misuse or activities that damage the island’s image.”
All 13 foreign nationals are currently being held at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detention centre. Police are also investigating whether the women detained in Seminyak and Umalas were connected to the network allegedly organised by OG.
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