HARIANEXPRESS – Indonesian immigration authorities detained 13 foreign nationals over suspected prostitution during joint operations across popular tourist destinations in Bali, (18/9/2026).
Officers executed the enforcement action across Canggu, Seminyak, and Umalas on Thursday night, September 17. The operation targeted 12 foreign women and one foreign man following reports from members of the public.
In Canggu, authorities apprehended a Russian woman identified as IP who allegedly used WhatsApp to solicit sex work on a remote-worker permit valid until November 8, 2026. A subsequent search led to an apartment occupied by a Ukrainian man identified as OG, whose investor stay permit had expired on October 14, 2025.
“In Canggu, officers detained a Russian woman and a Ukrainian man suspected of facilitating the prostitution services,” said Muhamad Novyandri (head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office) in a statement received on Friday.
In Seminyak, surveillance at a villa on Jalan Bidadari revealed three Nigerian women holding expired internship visit permits. The three women had overstayed their legal residency by 58, 94, and 134 days respectively.
A separate raid in Umalas uncovered four women at a villa, comprising three Russian nationals and one Kazakh national, following leads from Telegram. Officers subsequently detained four additional Nigerian women in the same vicinity for residence permit misuse.
“The 13 foreign nationals are currently undergoing further questioning at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office,” said Muhamad Novyandri.
Novyandri stated that the suspects allegedly violated Article 75 of Indonesia’s 2011 Immigration Law alongside potential criminal statutes. Field officers gathered intelligence through undercover techniques and verification across multiple online platforms.
“They face deportation and a five-year ban from entering Indonesia, as well as possible criminal proceedings under applicable laws,” said Muhamad Novyandri.
“We fully support Bali’s tourism industry, but we will not allow foreign nationals to misuse residence permits, break the law or damage Bali’s tourism image,” said Ramdhani (head of Bali’s Immigration Directorate General regional office).
