A man was caught red-handed shopping with dozens of counterfeit banknotes at Mengwi Village Market in Badung, Bali, in an incident captured on video that has since spread widely across social media.
The man, identified by his initials PN, 53, was apprehended by residents just as he attempted to buy mung bean porridge, the transaction that finally exposed a shopping spree conducted almost entirely with fake currency.
A Tense Scene Caught on Camera
Footage circulating online shows a tense atmosphere at Mengwi Market after the man was detained, with several residents and vendors visibly agitated while others worked to calm the situation. After being questioned by the crowd at the scene, the man could no longer deny what he had done and admitted to the act. He was subsequently taken to the police station. According to his own account, he lives in the Kediri area of Tabanan.
How He Was Caught
Mengwi Police Sector Chief Kompol Anak Agung Gede Rai Darmayasa said the incident occurred at Mengwi Market on Sunday, July 26. The arrest began after a parking attendant and residents grew suspicious of a payment PN had made.
“The parking attendant on-site noticed something was off and immediately called out to the suspect, checking his shopping money together with nearby residents. Residents then reported the incident to us, and our officers went directly to the scene to apprehend the suspect,” Darmayasa said on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
An hour before he was caught, PN had already purchased several daily food items, including meat and snacks, from multiple stalls throughout the market. His scheme unraveled while he stood just a few meters from a mung bean porridge stall after completing a transaction there.
A suspicious parking attendant called him over and told him the money he had used was strongly suspected to be counterfeit.
Nearly 100 Fake Bills Found
When searched at the scene, police discovered 98 counterfeit Rp 100,000 notes inside PN’s bag. Officers found no identification documents on him whatsoever.
“He carried out his scheme after the rain stopped, buying various staple goods and food at the market. But his scheme came to a halt when he tried to buy porridge and boiled snacks,” Darmayasa said.
Real Cash Also Seized
Beyond the counterfeit bills, police also seized the genuine currency PN had received as change from vendors throughout his shopping spree, totaling a significant sum across multiple transactions.
“The total change received from the counterfeit transactions amounted to Rp 642,000 (approximately $42). This included nine Rp 50,000 notes, two Rp 20,000 notes, six Rp 10,000 notes, sixteen Rp 5,000 notes, five Rp 2,000 notes, and two Rp 1,000 notes,” Darmayasa detailed.
Investigation Continues
PN and all seized evidence have been handed over to investigators to trace the origin of the counterfeit bills. Police continue conducting intensive questioning to determine whether a broader counterfeit currency network may be operating within Bali.
Why This Matters for Anyone Shopping at Local Markets in Bali
For expats and travelers who frequent traditional markets across Bali, this case is a useful reminder that counterfeit currency circulation remains a real, if uncommon, risk, and that market vendors and parking attendants, as seen in this case, often serve as the first line of defense against it. Checking larger denomination notes, particularly Rp 100,000 bills, for basic security features (watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting ink) before accepting them as change is a simple habit worth adopting, whether running a small stall or simply making a routine purchase at a local market.
