Police in Gianyar have dismantled a credit card theft syndicate that operated in Ubud’s crowded tourist areas over the past few months. Gianyar Police Chief AKBP Chandra C Kesuma said the group operated in a coordinated, structured manner to steal credit cards from foreign visitors and use them for illegal transactions.
Victims included three tourists from South Korea and two from China. Each incurred losses totaling hundreds of millions of rupiah after their stolen cards were used without authorization.
“If you look at the modus operandi, they are already experienced. Some are tasked with taking in bags, some covering them and some diverting other people or victims,” he said.
Ten Suspects With Defined Roles
Authorities arrested ten suspects, consisting of six foreign nationals and four Indonesian citizens. Chandra explained that each individual played a defined role within what he described as an international network.
Four Indonesian suspects, identified as PT (Putu), IKPS (Made), HL (Har), and JW (Jo), allegedly supplied electronic data capture machines used to process unauthorized payments.
Four Mongolian nationals, identified as MK or Jigurr, SA or Shar, SD or Soko, and GZ or Zolo, acted as executors who stole the cards and conducted illegal transactions. Two Chinese nationals, Hua or Sam and JWW or Dave, served as intermediaries connecting the Indonesian and Mongolian groups.
“The mode is to steal the bag or the sling that the victim brings, the bag is opened, the wallet is taken and then the credit card is taken.”
“There the credit card is swiped at the EDC machine, then sent to an account abroad,” he said in his statement on Wednesday (3/12/2025).
Crimes Committed Across Multiple Ubud Tourist Locations
Police reported that the group conducted theft and fraudulent transactions in several high-traffic tourist spots in Ubud. These included Puri Ubud, Monkey Forest, Jalan Raya Ubud, and Ubud Kaja. Authorities believe the syndicate deliberately chose these crowded areas to increase opportunities for theft and to reduce the chance of detection.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
The suspects were arrested in separate locations in Denpasar and Gianyar in early October 2025. Police are continuing to trace the flow of funds linked to the illegal transactions both domestically and overseas.
“(The flow of funds) to bank accounts in Uganda is still in depth, we are trying to confirm it to the banks. Some are also sent to accounts in Indonesia,” he said.
All suspects have been named defendants and face charges under Article 363 or Article 480 of the Criminal Code combined with Articles 53 and 56. The maximum penalty is seven years in prison.
Police confirmed the investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to track financial activity related to the case.
