Visitors to Bali are being advised to remain vigilant following an increase in criminal activity targeting tourists on the popular holiday destination. Travelers have been cautioned about a rise in pickpocketing, phone snatching, and jewelry theft, with some incidents reportedly causing serious injury.
Social media content creator Samantha, who frequently shares travel advice for Bali, recently posted a warning video detailing the trend. She noted that local residents had observed a surge in phone and necklace snatching. The latter, she explained, can be particularly dangerous as perpetrators on scooters may rip necklaces directly from a person's neck, potentially causing injury.
"The one thing that's really causing a lot of problems at the moment on the island is phone snatching and jewellery snatching," Samantha stated. "It's really, really bad at the moment, not gonna lie. I've had so many of my local friends warn me."
To mitigate risks, Samantha recommended keeping jewelry concealed when walking outdoors and storing phones within handbags. She also suggested carrying valuables on the side of the body furthest from the road to deter snatching by passing scooter riders. "It's really, really bad at the moment, not gonna lie. I've had so many of my local friends warn me."
Angus Kidman, a travel expert at Finder, described the warnings as a "sobering reminder" for travelers to stay alert. He advised ensuring that travel insurance policies cover stolen phones and that policy details are stored separately from the device, recommending a printed copy kept with travel documents and shared with family and friends.
The Australian government's Smartraveller service also advises its citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" when visiting Indonesia. The advisory highlights that theft, robbery, pickpocketing, and bag and phone snatching can occur and may sometimes involve violence.
Smartraveller specifically warns about thieves on motorcycles, particularly in busy areas such as upscale shopping centers, crowded public transport, at traffic lights, and when entering or leaving accommodations. It advises visitors to keep bags and valuables out of sight and to use footpaths while walking, staying away from the curb and carrying bags on the side opposite the road.