GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Police in Gianyar have uncovered an international pickpocketing network operating across several busy tourist areas in Ubud. Ten suspects, foreign nationals and Indonesians, were arrested, along with evidence linking them to a series of thefts targeting visitors from Korea and China.
Polres Gianyar Chief AKBP Chandra C. Kesuma, accompanied by Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP M. Guruh Firmansyah, announced the case on Tuesday, 2 December. He described the operation as a coordinated scheme involving “internationally connected pickpockets” who used stolen bank cards to conduct illegal digital transactions.
Five foreign tourists were identified as victims, including the husband of Korean actress Jeon Hye Bin. The actress had shared the incident on her social media account, drawing considerable public attention because it occurred during their holiday in Ubud.
According to police, victims realized their wallets were stolen only after receiving notifications of suspicious overseas transactions made with their bank cards. Charges were attempted through merchants listed as Portman Hauliers Kampala UG, Chevor Motors Kampala UG, Laptop Nguyen Duc 02, and Bayu Mobilindo.
The thefts took place in high-traffic areas, including Puri Ubud, Oemah Herborist Thematic Market, Jalan Raya Ubud, and the Monkey Forest area.
Police arrested a total of ten suspects with distinct roles. Indonesian nationals involved as providers of illegal EDC (Electronic Data Capture) machines were identified as PT (44), IKPS (51), HL (49), and JW (44).
Two intermediaries, both Chinese nationals, T.W. Hua (60) and J.W.W (57), were allegedly responsible for connecting the network to EDC equipment. The pickpocketing team consisted of four Mongolian nationals: MK (38), SA (35), SD (35), and GZ (32).
The group allegedly stole wallets from inside tourists’ bags without being noticed, then used the victims’ bank cards to process unauthorized digital payments through the illegal EDC machines set up by the domestic network.
A joint team from Polres Gianyar and Ubud Police conducted a detailed investigation, reviewing CCTV footage, retrieving evidence from multiple locations, and identifying the suspects through facial recognition.
Authorities seized clothing used during the thefts, one sling bag, nine mobile phones of various brands, four EDC machines under different business accounts, and a black BRI ATM card linked to the scheme.
All suspects face multiple charges under Articles 363, 362, 53, 56, and 480 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, with a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.