Tourists in Bali are being reminded to only use specific ATMs after a foreigner was deported for installing a skimming device on cash machines in popular resorts.
While Bali is becoming increasingly digitalized and all major attractions accept cards, cash is still super useful on vacation.
The advice comes after a Ukrainian woman with the initials BK, 35, was deported from Bali this week after being found to have installed skimming devices onto ATMs.
BK had been found guilty and sentenced to prison for two years and ten months and a fine of IDR 100,000,000, subsidiary to 5 months’ imprisonment by the Denpasar District Court in 2022 due to a skimming case.
@cyber_warrior76 #greenscreen #fakeatm #skimmer #scammers #scam #tourist #vacation #cyber ♬ original sound – Cyber_Warrior
While she has been locked up for some time, the warnings regarding ATMs in Bali are timeless.
Tourists should always use ATMs at cash machine stations in banks and avoid using ATMs that are not connected to a bank (e.g., private ATMs) or machines inside Minimarts and other shopping centers.
The Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Suhendra, confirmed that BK has now been sent to Poland and will be blacklisted from Indonesia.
He told reporters, “We have deported BK via I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport on the evening of April 2, 2024, using Qatar Airways on the Denpasar-Doha route, which was then continued on the Doha-Warsaw route using the same airline.”
@juicydetour ATMs in Bali 💰 #bali #traveltips #solotravel ♬ original sound – n a o m i
Speaking separately, Pramella Y. Pasaribu, Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, emphasized that BK’s deportation is clear evidence that Indonesia does not tolerate foreigners’ violations of the law.
She said, “The BK case is a clear example of the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights’ commitment to maintaining state sovereignty and protecting the public from law violations.”
She added, “We will continue to improve coordination with related agencies and strengthen supervision of the presence of foreigners in the Bali region.”
It has been evident for months that Bali is not playing when it comes to foreigners committing crimes and visa violations.
Deportations are still frequent for those who overstay. With the Tourist Task Force out on operations and the newly established Tourism Satpol PP police units, tourists are under a watchful eye.
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BK’s case is a timely reminder for tourists to think smart about money matters in Bali.
An increasing number of tourists are using online global banking services like Wise and Revolut, which allow users to spend in any currency with minimal or no fees and use temporary digital cards for contactless and online payments to reduce the risk of card fraud.
However, ATMs cannot give out cash on contactless payments, so tourists must be mindful of the cash machines they use.
It can be pretty hard to tell if an ATM has been tampered with, and it is becoming increasingly rare, but it does still happen. One thing to check is the plastic casing that sits over the card reader.
Give it a wiggle and check to see if it feels unusually bulky or thick. This is a good indication that a skimming device has been fitted over the card readers.
Another common trick is that scammers will post an ‘Out of Use’ notice on the ATM with directions to an alternative cash machine. Never follow the alternative route.
This has often proven to be a scam, where thieves redirect tourists from a genuine and bank-owned ATM toward a private ATM that either charges huge amounts to withdraw or has been tampered with.
If in doubt, ask your accommodation provider which ATM they use and recommend for you to use.
It is always good to have a reasonable amount of cash available in Bali, especially for day trips to more rural areas of the island or for spending at local markets or beachfront vendors, who rarely have card machines.
