An Australian travel guide and influencer based in Bali has issued an urgent warning to travellers amid a surge in pickpocket crime plaguing the Indonesian holiday hotspot. Samantha, who regularly shares travel information about Bali online, posted a video earlier this month alerting tourists to the worrying trend.
Rise in Phone and Jewellery Snatching
In the video, which has been viewed more than 250,000 times, Samantha claims locals have noticed an increase in phone snatching and jewellery grabbing, typically perpetrated by individuals passing on mopeds. She said the trend is causing tourists “a lot of problems” because it is happening in popular areas such as Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Uluwatu.
“Guys, if you’re coming to Bali anytime soon, there is one thing that you need to be aware of,” Samantha began. “Bali is my favourite place on the planet Earth. Bali has so much to offer and there are so many things that I love about the place. But the one thing that’s really causing a lot of problems at the moment on the island is phone snatching and jewellery snatching.”
Personal Accounts and Local Warnings
Samantha revealed that she personally knows two people who have had their necklaces pulled off in Canggu. “It’s really, really bad at the moment. I’ve had so many of my local friends warn me,” she added. The influencer encourages tourists to keep jewellery hidden while walking on the street and store phones safely away. She also advises carrying valuable items on the arm furthest from the roadside to prevent potential thieves on scooters from snatching them.
Expert Advice on Travel Insurance
Responding to the warning, Angus Kidman, a travel expert at Finder, told Yahoo Lifestyle that it was a “sobering reminder” for Australians to stay alert while travelling. “Travel insurance can cover you for a stolen phone, so make sure your policy includes that, and have the details of your policy stored somewhere other than your phone,” he said. “If you can’t afford the insurance, you can’t afford the trip.”
Official Government Warning
Smartraveller, the Australian government’s travel advisory service, warns Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” while visiting Indonesia. “Theft, robbery, pickpocketing, bag and phone snatching can happen. These crimes can sometimes be violent,” it states. The advisory notes that travellers should be careful of thieves on motorcycles, especially when walking, in upmarket shopping malls, on crowded public transport, at traffic lights, in stopped cars, at bars and nightclubs, and when entering and leaving accommodation, including villas in Bali.
