Police say content was produced for profit and sparked public confusion involving local motorcycle taxi drivers
BADUNG, Bali — Three European nationals have been arrested in Bali over the production and distribution of a viral explicit video that used online motorcycle taxi (ojek) attributes, in a case that has drawn public attention and raised concerns about the misuse of local symbols.
The 17-minute video circulated widely on social media last week, prompting an investigation by the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit in coordination with the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office.
Badung Police Chief Joseph Edward Purba said the three suspects were motivated by financial gain from producing and distributing adult content.
“In this case, we have named three suspects. The act was carried out with the motive of seeking profit from pornographic content,” he told reporters during a press conference on March 17.
Suspects and Their Roles
The suspects have been identified as MMZL (23), a French national; NBS (24), an Italian national; and ERB (26), also a French national. All three were staying in the Canggu area of North Kuta, a popular destination for foreign visitors.
Police said ERB acted as a manager and was responsible for uploading the video to an adult platform, while MMZL and NBS took part directly in the production.
Investigation Began With Cyber Patrol
The case began on March 13, when police cyber patrol detected the explicit video circulating online at around 6:30 p.m. local time. Digital tracing suggested the content had been produced within Badung.
Investigators later questioned an ojek driver who had previously worked with one of the suspects on social media content. The witness had appeared in light-themed videos featuring ojek attributes, providing police with key information about the group.
“We questioned an ojek driver who had previously created content with the suspects. From there, we obtained important clues about their identities,” Purba said.
Arrested While Attempting to Leave Bali
After identifying the suspects, police coordinated with immigration authorities and learned that two of them—MMZL and NBS—were preparing to leave Bali for Thailand.
Both were detained at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport without resistance and taken into custody for further investigation.
The third suspect, ERB, was arrested separately on March 16 in the Canggu area.
Ojek Jacket Used as a Deliberate Prop
Police said the video was recorded on March 8, 2026, at around 2:40 p.m. at a villa in the Pererenan area of Badung.
According to investigators, the use of ojek attributes was intentional and designed to attract attention.
NBS purchased the jacket locally for about 300,000 rupiah (approximately $18) specifically for the video.
“To attract attention and make the content go viral, the suspect used an ojek jacket,” Purba said. “The person wearing it is a foreign national, not a local driver.”
Authorities noted that the use of the jacket contributed to the rapid spread of the video and led to confusion online, with some social media users mistakenly linking the content to real ojek drivers.
Evidence and Charges
Police have seized several items as evidence, including three iPhones, a DJI Osmo camera, a MacBook Air, and the ojek jacket used in the video.
Five witnesses have been questioned—four men and one woman—and none of the suspects have prior criminal records.
The suspects have been charged under Article 407 of Indonesia’s 2023 Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of between six months and 10 years in prison. They also face charges under Article 45 Paragraph (1) of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, which carries a maximum sentence of six years.
Broader Concerns
Police said the case highlights the potential consequences of using local professional symbols in misleading or inappropriate contexts.
The misuse of ojek attributes—associated with a profession that supports thousands of workers across Bali—prompted public concern and online speculation following the video’s spread.
Authorities emphasized that cyber patrol and coordination with immigration were key to identifying and apprehending the suspects.
The case also underscores the legal risks facing foreign nationals who produce and distribute explicit content in Indonesia, where strict laws apply regardless of nationality.
