Officials have inspected currency exchange booths in the village of Tegallalang near Ubud. Only three turned out to have a business permit.
The rest had red “illegal” stickers put on them, and the exchange rates were taken down from their boards.
The authorities came on Monday following complaints from local residents. Before that, they had inspected money changers in Ubud. Owners were given time in advance to sort out their paperwork. Those who fail to do so have been warned that they will be shut down.
The sticker says in English that the money changer is operating without a licence and illegally. Meanwhile, the window of one of them displays an Authorize Money Changer sign, meaning “official exchange point”.
Licences for currency exchange itself are issued by Bank Indonesia. Its list includes three addresses in Tegallalang. Licensed money changers must display the bank's certificate and a logo with a QR code where customers can see them.
In September 2025 in Tegallalang, a foreigner exchanged 200 euros and ended up a million rupiah short. The money was returned only after a driver stepped in. At the time, the authorities said that scams usually happen at places without a permit.
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