In late October, Bali police raided an all-male spa called ‘Elegantz Spa and Sauna Bali’ suspected of selling sexual services and prostitution.
It has since been closed and several employees have been taken into custody, including a British tourist who was found naked with a massage therapist on the premises at the time of the raid.
Prostitution and sex work of any kind is illegal in Indonesia.
Employees Detained And Evidence Confiscated
During the raid, up to 10 employees were taken into custody, including the spa manager and cashier. Several were detained after questioning. Police also confiscated physical evidence they found at the scene.
Most Clients Said To Be Foreign Tourists
The case is still under investigation, but reports suggest that the police believe the business had been in operation for about a year, and its main clientele were foreign tourists.
The spa offered a range of services, from a 1 hour Balinese massage at Rp 290,000 all the way up to a Rp 1.5 million ‘VIP’ treatment.
Neighbours of the spa expressed shock at the raid, claiming they knew nothing about any illegal activity taking place on the premises.
Crack-down On Illegal Sex Work In Bali
This comes after the closure of ‘The Pink Palace’, a spa owned by an Australian couple near Seminyak on 11 September, 2024. The owners, Michael and Lynley Le Grand, have been taken into custody and charged. If found guilty, they could spend up to 12 years in prison.
The raid seems to be a part of a bigger effort among local law enforcement to crack down on the illegal sex industry in Bali.
