A new land dispute involving a foreigner is unfolding in Bali. British citizen Nicholas John Hyam has filed a complaint with the island's regional police against a local resident with the initials RSS. The complaint, submitted on August 12, involves alleged crimes under Articles 378 and 372 of the Indonesian Criminal Code — fraud and embezzlement.
Hyam's lawyer, Juan Meko, explained that it all began in 2005 when Nicholas, through a foreign investment company (PMA), agreed to purchase nine plots of land in the village of Buduk, Badung district. The total deal was valued at 23.4 billion rupees. The Briton transferred over 33 billion rupees (about 2.5 million USD) to the seller, but the land was never handed over, and the money was not returned.
According to Meko, the key issue was the deposit (consignment), which was supposed to be registered in Nicholas's name as the purchaser. Instead, RSS and his lawyer recorded it in someone else's name, with the initials Z. This Z had previously been sentenced to three years in prison for fraud and embezzlement. The lawyer claims the name Z was deliberately used to remove the deposit from Nicholas's control, preventing him from retrieving the money directly.
The case has already been reviewed by the Supreme Court, where RSS was acquitted and the dispute was deemed civil. However, Nicholas's lawyer believes that new circumstances justify criminal prosecution.
"I trust the Indonesian National Police, specifically the Bali police, and hope that steps will be taken to summon all parties involved, especially RSS," the lawyer stated.
Bali Police have so far refrained from commenting.
In recent years, land disputes involving foreigners in Bali have become more frequent, especially in Badung and other highly attractive investment areas.
Nicholas's story is a clear reminder that any real estate investment in Bali requires thorough legal checks. It’s crucial to scrutinize not just the property but all aspects of the deal. In other words, before investing in Bali, make sure you know what you're buying!
The company Legal Indonesia offers a Due Diligence service — a comprehensive legal check of the property and documents before purchase or investment. Legal Indonesia thoroughly examines ownership rights, contracts, taxes, and the seller to ensure you don’t find yourself in the same situation as the subject of this news. This is your protection against risks and your guarantee that the investment will be profitable, not a financial loss.
Source: nusabali
📩 Contact us in the most convenient way for a consultation!
Telegram - @legalindonesia / @LegalIndonesiaBot
WhatsApp - https://wa.me/628179677771
You can add one right now!