An urgent warning has been issued to Bali travellers after a crime often reported in cities like London has been plaguing the Indonesian hotspot, causing injuries and even death.
Self-described Bali travel guide Sam, who hails from Australia, put out a PSA after hearing about an anecdotal rise in people having their phones and necklaces stolen, typically by passing thieves on mopeds.
She said it’s causing a “lot of problems” at the moment because these traveling pickpockets have been popping up in places like Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu, which are the most popular spots in Bali.
Angus Kidman, a travel expert at Finder, told Yahoo Lifestyle that losing your phone on holiday is always scary, but it’s a “sobering reminder” to be careful when using it abroad.
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“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.
“Take a printout and keep it with your passport, and leave details with friends and family as well.
“If you can’t afford the insurance, you can’t afford the trip.”
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Travel expert Angus Kidman said it’s no surprise phone snatching stories are going viral.
(Instagram/anguskidman)What do Aussies need to know about necklace snatching in Bali?
Phone snatching is particularly rife in the UK, with more than 81,000 people having their devices nicked from their hands in 2024 alone.
There aren’t any clear statistics for the same issue in Bali, but the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Consular State of Play revealed there were 182 theft cases involving Aussies that required consular assistance in the 2024 to 2025 financial year.
But necklace thefts appear to be on the rise.
Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr claimed in a recent segment that this type of crime was increasing in Bali, and some Aussies have been “robbed of family heirlooms” and “severely injured” when their chains were ripped from their necks.
Sam urged people to wear necklaces and other hanging jewellery under their clothing when walking on public streets.
“It’s really, really bad at the moment. I’ve had so many of my local friends warn me,” she said.
“It’s such a shame this is happening.”
Tourists open up about Bali snatching scourge that can be deadly
Social media platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and Tripadvisor are also filled with claims of phone and necklace thefts.
“Saw an attempted phone snatching happen in front of me by some guy on a motorbike,” wrote one Aussie.
“I was driving back to our hotel in Seminyak. My friend was navigating me to the hotel on Google Maps, but suddenly someone came from nowhere and took my iPhone from my hand,” added a victim.
A similar incident happened to a Kiwi tourist only last month, when a passing moped rider stole the victim’s phone while they were using it for directions.
Kuta Police Chief Agus Riwayanto Diputro said this is a common issue because people aren’t paying attention to what’s happening around them.
“Most incidents occur when tourists use their phones as navigation tools while riding motorcycles. This creates opportunities for offenders,” he said in January.
But he also tried to calm concerns, saying “street crime is a global phenomenon” and a “shared challenge for tourism areas worldwide”.
But these snatching incidents can even be deadly.
An Indonesian woman was killed while riding a motorbike in Kuta in February after thieves tried to steal her purse and pulled her into a street pole.
DFAT told Yahoo Lifestyle that Aussies in Bali needed to “stay alert” in crowds.
“Keep bags and valuables out of sight, and if you’re walking, use footpaths, stay away from the curb, and carry your bag away from the road,” a spokesperson said.
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