22-1-2025 (JAKARTA) Two senior police officers from the Kuta Police Station have admitted to extorting a Colombian tourist in a case that has sparked widespread condemnation and an internal investigation.
The officers, identified only by their initials GKS and S, both holding the rank of Aiptu (First Police Adjunct Inspector), confessed to demanding Rp200,000 (approximately $12) from a Colombian national as “administrative costs” for processing her theft report.
The incident occurred when the tourist, identified as SGH, attempted to report the theft of her mobile phone, which had been snatched in the Jalan Uluwatu area of Jimbaran. Despite the incident taking place within South Kuta’s jurisdiction, the victim approached the Kuta Police Station on 5 January 2025.
Dan Terjadi Lagi…
Seorang Turis Kena Begal , buat Laporan ke Polisi (LP) bayar 200rb????Bali
src : BaliBackSeat pic.twitter.com/QEqfI315dD— Miss Tweet | (@Heraloebss) January 20, 2025
According to Bali Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, the officers received the tourist at approximately 12:50 local time. Rather than directing her to the appropriate South Kuta Police jurisdiction, they offered to process her report—for a price.
“The foreign national was merely seeking documentation for insurance purposes in her home country,” Ariasandy explained to reporters on Tuesday.
In a questionable move, the officers issued a police report but falsified the location of the incident, stating it occurred in Jalan Legian, Kuta, rather than the actual location in Jimbaran.
The scandal came to light after footage of the tourist recounting her experience went viral on social media. In the video, she describes being led to a private room where the payment was demanded. “They didn’t provide any receipt. I only received this letter. The money was clearly for their personal gain,” she stated in the recorded footage.
The case has triggered a formal investigation by the Police Professional Ethics Division at Bali Police Headquarters. Both officers are facing charges under Article 5, paragraph 3 of Police Regulation Number 7 of 2022, which explicitly prohibits police personnel from charging unofficial fees for their services.
“Any police official demanding payment for services outside the scope of legal regulations is in direct violation of our professional code of ethics,” Ariasandy emphasised.
