A video showing a heated dispute at a currency exchange in Ubud has gone viral, exposing an old scam tactic and prompting renewed warnings for visitors to exercise extreme caution when changing money.
UBUD, Bali — A video capturing a tense confrontation between two foreign tourists and a money changer employee in Ubud has spread rapidly across social media, highlighting a persistent scam that continues to tarnish the experience of visitors to Bali. The incident, which allegedly occurred on Nyuh Kuning Street, serves as a stark reminder for all international travelers to be vigilant with their currency transactions on the island.
In the widely circulated clip, two distressed women are seen accusing an employee of shortchanging them. The tourists allege that after exchanging their foreign currency, they discovered a shortage of approximately IDR 950,000 upon recounting the money in their car.
The narrative accompanying the video suggests a classic deceit: the teller allegedly dropped a foreign banknote behind the counter during the initial count, resulting in a significantly lower payout in Indonesian Rupiah. “Give me back my money,” one tourist demands in the video, later threatening to report the incident to the police.
An Old Modus Operandi Resurfaces
The alleged scam employs a well-documented, decades-old trick used by unscrupulous exchange operators worldwide. The swift and confusing counting of notes, combined with a discreet movement to hide or drop a bill, relies on the customer’s trust and the desire to conclude the transaction quickly. Victims often only realize the shortfall after they have left the premises, making recovery difficult.
Official Response and a Critical Gap
I Gusti Ngurah Suardita, Head of Public Relations for the Gianyar Police, confirmed that as of now, no official police report has been filed by the tourists involved. “After checking, there is no report regarding this matter at the Ubud Police Station or the Gianyar Police Resort,” Suardita stated. The lack of a formal complaint significantly hampers law enforcement’s ability to investigate and take action against the specific business, allowing such operators to potentially continue their practices.
A Clear Advisory for Bali’s Visitors
In light of this repeated issue, the safest advice for tourists and expatriates in Bali is unequivocal: avoid small, independent money changers for large transactions, especially those offering rates that seem too good to be true.
For security and guaranteed fair exchange, visitors are strongly urged to conduct their currency transactions at:
- Reputable banks with official counters, such as BCA, Mandiri, or OCBC NISP.
- Authorized exchange counters within major shopping centers or airports.
- Using ATMs affiliated with major international networks, despite potential fees.
Furthermore, a universal rule applies regardless of location: count every note carefully yourself before leaving the counter. Do not feel pressured by the teller’s speed. If any discrepancy arises, do not leave the premises and immediately request a supervisor or threaten to contact the police—a step that, if followed through with a formal report, is crucial for authorities to track and penalize fraudulent operators.
This viral video is more than a tourist’s complaint; it is a community alert. For Bali, whose livelihood depends on hospitality and trust, each such incident chips away at its hard-earned reputation. Protecting that reputation requires both proactive caution from guests and robust, responsive enforcement from authorities to ensure that “Ubud scam” does not become a recurring headline.
Source Video : Sesetan Post
