A money changer employee in Ubud, Bali, was caught on video allegedly deceiving a foreign tourist during a currency exchange transaction. The footage, which has since gone viral, shows the employee secretly dropping part of the cash under the counter, resulting in the tourist receiving less money than was agreed upon.
The video was reportedly taken by the tourist involved in the transaction and later uploaded to the Instagram account @hello_gianyar. In the footage, the employee is seen counting stacks of 50,000-rupiah notes for the tourist. Initially, the process appeared routine until a moment when the employee discreetly let several bills fall below the table before handing over the remainder of the exchanged amount.
As a result, the total received by the tourist was significantly lower than the proper exchange value. The tourist quickly noticed the discrepancy and confronted the employee, threatening to report the incident to the local police.
“I record you, Bro! You know? Look! I’m recording you. The money? Quickly. I’m recording that. If you have the program, I’ll call the police,” said the foreign tourist with emotion.
Police Confirm Incident in Ubud
Ubud Police Chief Commissioner I Wayan Putra Antara confirmed that the incident took place on October 4, 2025. The money changer in question is owned by I Ketut Sudirta and is located in the Junjungan area of Ubud, Gianyar.
Commissioner Antara expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing that such deceptive practices not only cause financial loss to tourists but also damage the reputation of Ubud’s tourism sector. He noted that the police were taking the matter seriously and investigating further based on the evidence provided.
“That’s right, foreigners came to the money changer to exchange money of 500 Euros with an exchange rate equivalent to Rp 9.47 million. However, his guard Gede Sendi Darma Yuda allegedly deliberately dropped the money from the exchange into a desk drawer of around Rp 2 million when the foreigner was busy counting money,” said Antara as reported by detikbali, Saturday (10/10).
Authorities Urge Caution in Currency Exchanges
While the police have not released further details regarding possible legal action, the case has drawn attention to the importance of caution when exchanging currency at smaller, non-bank money changers. The viral video has prompted many social media users to share similar experiences and remind others to count their money carefully during exchanges.
Authorities are expected to follow up with the money changer’s management to ensure compliance with regulations governing foreign currency services.
“For money changers who are caught committing fraud or violations, a firm warning will be given and can be processed in accordance with the applicable legal provisions,” he said.
Investigation Ongoing
As of now, police in Ubud are continuing their inquiry into the case. The employee’s actions, captured clearly in the video, are being reviewed as part of the investigation.
Officials have reiterated their commitment to maintaining trust and safety in Bali’s tourism services, underscoring that fraudulent behavior of this nature will be addressed under existing laws.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates are expected once authorities conclude their review of the incident.
