A special task force to fight the land mafia has been set up in Bali. Police will respond faster to complaints about forged documents, illegal land grabs and fraud involving ownership rights. According to police, the victims of such crimes are often foreigners looking to buy land or invest in property on the island.
In 2025, Bali police received four reports of land mafia activity: three cases were handed over to the prosecutor's office, and one was resolved through restorative justice. In 2026 there have already been five reports. Investigations have been opened into three of them, and suspects are being identified in the other two.
One recent land dispute in Badung shows the kind of trouble a plot owner can run into. That said, the authorities have not yet linked this case to the new task force and have not described it as a proven case of land mafia activity.
Badung resident Indrawati says that she and her husband bought the plot back in 1985, built a house there and lived on the land for several decades.
Later another man came forward, claiming to be the plot's rightful owner. He obtained a new land certificate and, in turn, accused Indrawati of illegally occupying the land. Years of court proceedings followed.
Another question came up during the proceedings: the case file contained two different originals of the certificate for the very same plot — one with no issue date, the other dated 9 January 2026. Indrawati's lawyers believe there may be two certificates covering a single piece of land. They are challenging the documents in court and pressing for an investigation into possible forgery.
The court has still not established exactly how these documents came about or who holds the legal rights to the plot, so the case remains open.
It is for cases like this that Bali police created Satgas Anti Mafia Tanah, a special task force against the land mafia. Its job is to receive and review complaints about land scams more quickly, coordinate police work with the National Land Agency (BPN), the prosecutor's office and local authorities, and identify the areas where such offences occur most often.
The task force includes officers from several Bali police units, among them the criminal and legal divisions. It will serve as the main channel for residents and foreigners who believe they have fallen victim to land scams.
Offences can be reported by calling 110 or by going directly to the Bali police and its district offices.
The main warning from police concerns the transaction itself. Before buying, the land and its certificate should be checked with Indonesia's National Land Agency (BPN).
The deal should be done officially and with a notary involved. Foreigners are also advised not to register land in another person's name or use a nominee. Police warn that such arrangements can end in criminal charges and confiscation of the property.
Legal Indonesia carries out a full legal check of properties: they review certificates, land documents, possible encumbrances and disputes, and assess how safe the transaction is. The contract can also be checked separately, so you can find out in advance whether the chosen arrangement meets the requirements of Indonesian law.
You can add one right now!