Two foreign tourists have been arrested in Bali for allegedly committing a series of robberies targeting money changers, shedding light on a troubling trend of crime involving visitors to Indonesia’s popular resort island. The suspects, identified as Tajaddin Hajiyep, 35, from Azerbaijan, and Evgeniy Viktorovich Pak, 36, from Uzbekistan, are accused of stealing large sums of cash in two separate incidents, using deceptive tactics and false pretenses to lure their victims.
A Bold Scheme in Kuta
The arrests followed a dramatic sequence of events in Kuta, a bustling tourist hub in Bali’s Badung regency. On Thursday, Kuta Police chief Comr. Agus Riwayanto Diputro held a press conference to detail the suspects’ alleged crimes. According to Riwayanto, Hajiyep and Pak were part of a group specifically targeting money exchange businesses that offer cash-on-delivery services to hotels and villas. The pair reportedly used fake passports as identification to gain the trust of their victims, convincing them to deliver significant amounts of cash to designated locations.
In the most recent incident, the suspects contacted a money changer via the Telegram messaging app, requesting to exchange cryptocurrency worth approximately US$2,350 into Indonesian rupiah. They instructed the money changer to deliver the cash—amounting to Rp 191,150,000 (~US$11,667)—to Aura Segara Villa on Jl. Segara Merta No. 8 in Tuban, Kuta district. Two staff members from the money exchange company arrived at the location as requested, only to be ambushed by the suspects. 
Riwayanto explained that while one suspect engaged the victims in counting the money, the other suddenly appeared, and both proceeded to physically assault the staff, leaving them feeling shocked. “They said that they were from Interpol … the perpetrators placed the victims in a chokehold” Riwayanto stated on August 4, 2025, during the press conference. The suspects then fled with the cash.
Community Response and Arrests
The victims, however, refused to let the crime go unchallenged. They pursued the suspects, and with the help of local residents, managed to apprehend Hajiyep. In the heat of the moment, a mob beat Hajiyep, resulting in minor injuries before police intervened. Meanwhile, Pak attempted to flee Bali through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport but was arrested within 24 hours thanks to swift coordination with immigration authorities. “We have arrested the other suspect within 24 hours, thanks to our coordination with the Immigration office” Riwayanto noted on August 4, 2025.
Further investigation revealed that this was not the suspects’ first offense. Police uncovered evidence of a prior robbery in Canggu, another popular area in Bali, where the pair allegedly stole Rp 170 million (~US$10,370) using a similar modus operandi. “They came to Bali as tourists, but apparently they committed two similar offenses during their stay” Riwayanto added during the press conference.
Immigration and Legal Complications
The case also raised questions about the suspects’ immigration status. I Gusti Ngurah Rai Immigration Office officer Dharma Bayuaji confirmed that both Hajiyep and Pak entered Bali in January 2025 on tourist visas using valid passports, contrary to initial assumptions of forged documents during the crimes. Pak had extended his visa online until August, while Hajiyep’s visa had expired by the time of their arrest. This discrepancy could add further legal complications to their case.
Under Indonesia’s Criminal Code, the suspects face charges of robbery under Article 365, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years in prison if convicted. The severity of the potential penalty underscores the Indonesian authorities’ firm stance on crimes committed by foreign nationals, particularly in tourist-heavy regions like Bali, where such incidents can tarnish the island’s reputation as a safe destination.
A Growing Concern for Bali
The arrests of Hajiyep and Pak highlight a concerning pattern of crime targeting financial services in Bali, an island that relies heavily on tourism for its economy. Money changers, often small businesses catering to tourists and expatriates, are particularly vulnerable to such scams due to the cash-heavy nature of their operations. The use of messaging apps like Telegram for communication and the exploitation of cryptocurrency transactions as a lure reflect a level of sophistication in these criminal activities, posing new challenges for local law enforcement.
Bali has long been a magnet for international visitors, drawn by its beaches, cultural heritage, and vibrant nightlife. However, incidents like these threaten to undermine the sense of security that is crucial to sustaining the island’s appeal. Local authorities are now under pressure to enhance protective measures for businesses and tourists alike, while also addressing the broader implications of visa overstays and fraudulent activities by foreign nationals.
As the legal proceedings against Hajiyep and Pak unfold, questions remain about the effectiveness of current safeguards and the potential for similar crimes in the future. For now, the swift response by Kuta Police and immigration officials serves as a reminder of the island’s commitment to maintaining order, even as it grapples with the complexities of being a global tourist destination.
