Bali police have busted a gang of rental car thieves at Ngurah Rai International Airport. Three rental companies operating at the airport filed reports about the thefts.
A total of five Indonesian citizens were arrested: four men from Java and a housewife from Buleleng, Bali. According to police, the 47-year-old N.P.O.S., nicknamed Rere, was the 'mastermind' behind the scheme.
Her team consisted of:
— T.S.A., an operative who rented cars posing as a tourist;
— Y.S., another 'tourist', currently wanted;
— A.S., aka Man, a recruiter who found operatives through social media and accompanied them during car collection;
— M.A., aka Rud, an auto electrician who removed GPS trackers, put on fake plates, and helped forge documents;
— D.B.P., aka Bud, a buyer of stolen cars in East Java.
— T.S.A., an operative who rented cars posing as a tourist;
— Y.S., another 'tourist', currently wanted;
— A.S., aka Man, a recruiter who found operatives through social media and accompanied them during car collection;
— M.A., aka Rud, an auto electrician who removed GPS trackers, put on fake plates, and helped forge documents;
— D.B.P., aka Bud, a buyer of stolen cars in East Java.
The scheme was well-structured. Fake tourists were given suitcases and belongings, and a flight ticket was prepared: it was initially purchased, confirmation was received by email, and then it was canceled. They kept a 'live' booking confirmation to show to the rental companies. The handover took place on the third floor of the airport parking lot, and the contract was usually for three days.
When the rental period ended, the cars were not returned. They were moved to a hideout where M.A. removed the GPS, changed the plates, and prepared fake documents. Then the cars were sold in East Java at a reduced price. Each operative was promised 5 million rupiah per car. Rere, according to the police, earned up to 20 million per car.
The rental companies filed reports on October 4, 5, and 26, 2025. Arrests took place on November 4, 12, and 26. The damage to the companies is estimated at over 750 million rupiah, and the police have already seized three cars, fake license plates, keys, and other evidence. Law enforcement believes the group may have been operating this scheme for years and is looking for additional incidents.
The suspects have been charged with Articles 378 (fraud), 372 (embezzlement), 55 and 56 (complicity and assistance in crime), and 480 (selling stolen goods) of the Penal Code. They face up to nine years in prison. The police are asking rental owners to verify clients more thoroughly: cross-check ticket details with the flight manifest, request full documents, and install GPS that is difficult to remove.
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