Tourists Arrested for Bali Money Changer Robberies
Two foreign tourists have been arrested in Bali for allegedly carrying out two robberies targeting money changers that offer cash-on-delivery services to hotels and villas.
The suspects, identified as Tajaddin Hajiyep, 35, from Azerbaijan, and Evgeniy Viktorovich Pak, 36, from Uzbekistan, face up to nine years in prison if convicted. Police said the men used false identification to gain the trust of their victims.
Kuta Police Chief Comr. Agus Riwayanto Diputro told reporters the suspects contacted money changers via the Telegram app, posing as clients seeking to convert cryptocurrency to rupiah. In one incident, they arranged to meet at Aura Segara Villa in Tuban, Badung regency, requesting Rp 191,150,000 (about US$11,667) be delivered.
When two staff members arrived with the money, the suspects allegedly attacked them, claiming to be Interpol agents. They placed both victims in chokeholds before fleeing with the cash.
The victims chased the suspects, hitting Hajiyep with a motorbike. Locals caught and beat him before handing him over to police. Pak was arrested less than 24 hours later at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport as he attempted to leave the island.
Authorities linked the pair to a previous robbery in Canggu that netted Rp 170 million. They entered Bali in January on tourist visas, with Pak extending his stay until August and Hajiyep overstaying his visa.
Police have charged the suspects under Article 365 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code on robbery.
