DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Indonesian immigration authorities have detained three foreign nationals in Bali for allegedly engaging in online prostitution while holding visit stay permits, in a case highlighting increased monitoring of misuse of visas.
Officers from the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Section (Inteldakim) of Denpasar Immigration carried out operations on Saturday (May 2, 2026) after identifying suspicious activity on a website believed to promote commercial sex services involving foreign nationals.
Two women were first detained at a villa in Mengwi. They were identified as EJN (21), a Nigerian national, and ED (22), a Russian national. Both were found to be holding Visit Stay Permits (ITK), which authorities say were allegedly misused for illegal activities.
In a separate operation at a hotel in Renon, officers detained another Russian national, AR (27), who also held a Visit Stay Permit. She was reportedly found inside a hotel room with a male companion at the time of the operation.
Head of Denpasar Immigration Office, R Haryo Sakti, confirmed that all three individuals are currently undergoing further investigation.
“We do not tolerate any misuse of stay permits for activities that violate Indonesian law and social norms,” he said on Monday (May 4).
Immigration records show that EJN entered Indonesia via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on March 21, 2026, while ED arrived through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on March 10. AR entered Indonesia more recently, on April 22.
The case comes shortly after a separate immigration enforcement action at Ngurah Rai International Airport on the same day, where three Chinese nationals were intercepted while attempting to leave Indonesia. The individuals, identified as JW (33), RW (37), and HL (39), were suspected of involvement in an aggravated theft case in Bogor, West Java.
Head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Bugie Kurniawan, said the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of immigration monitoring systems.
“We can intercept anyone listed as a wanted individual, as long as accurate and timely information is shared with us,” he stated.
Authorities emphasized that Bali’s international gateway will continue to be closely monitored to prevent individuals from using the island as a base for illegal activities or to evade legal processes.