A Ukrainian man has been detained in Bali after Indonesian immigration authorities accused him of acting as a broker for prostitution services involving foreign nationals on the island.
The man, identified by the initials OG, was among 13 foreign nationals detained during a joint operation conducted by the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration and the Bali Police on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Authorities said the operation targeted foreign nationals suspected of violating immigration regulations and was conducted at three locations in Badung Regency: Umalas, Seminyak and Canggu.
Of the 13 people detained, 12 were women suspected of working as sex workers, while OG was the only man in the group and was allegedly acting as a broker or provider of prostitution services.
Services Allegedly Promoted Online
According to immigration authorities, the alleged prostitution services were promoted through several online platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram and websites.
Raja Ulul Azmi Syahwali, head of intelligence and immigration enforcement at Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, said officers identified the individuals through their online activities.
“At the time they were detained, we traced them through WhatsApp contacts, websites and Telegram,” Raja said.
Authorities said the group had allegedly been carrying out the activity in Bali for between three and six months. The reported rates varied depending on the nationality of the women involved.
Seven Nigerian nationals were reportedly offering services for AUD800, or approximately Rp10.1 million, per hour. Five others from Russia and Kazakhstan were reportedly charging up to AUD1,100, or approximately Rp13.9 million, per hour.
When asked why the rates involving Russian nationals were higher, Raja said, “For the Russians, it is more expensive. I don’t know why it can be more expensive.”
Authorities also said the alleged services primarily targeted foreign nationals staying in Bali.
“Based on the statements we obtained, the majority of their targets were indeed foreign nationals,” Raja said.
The operation resulted in seven Nigerian nationals, four Russian nationals and one Kazakh national being detained, alongside OG, who is Ukrainian. Most of those detained were reported to be holders of visitor permits, although immigration authorities also identified several other types of residence permits among the group.
Ukrainian National Faces Further Legal Action
OG is reportedly a holder of an Investor Temporary Stay Permit (ITAS), which was still valid until 14 October 2026. Authorities said his alleged involvement in arranging prostitution services meant that his case could be pursued separately from the immigration violations involving the other foreign nationals.
Kompol I Made Dimas W., Unit 3 officer of the Bali Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, said immigration authorities would submit a report to the Bali Police.
“The mechanism is that Immigration will make a report to us at the Bali Police,” Dimas said.
He said investigators were coordinating with Ngurah Rai Immigration Office and were assessing possible criminal provisions that could apply to OG’s alleged activities.
“One person has been found to meet the elements of facilitating indecent acts and human trafficking,” Dimas said.
According to the police, OG could face multiple charges under Articles 420 and 421 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code concerning facilitating indecent acts, as well as Article 455 paragraph 1 concerning trafficking in persons. The provisions carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, according to the police.
The 12 women, meanwhile, are being dealt with primarily for alleged immigration violations. Authorities said they could face deportation and a ban on returning to Indonesia.
The individuals were placed in detention at Ngurah Rai Immigration Office while authorities continued their investigation. Some of those detained were also reported to have exceeded their permitted stay, with several allegedly overstaying by more than four months.
The case remains subject to further investigation, particularly regarding OG’s alleged role in facilitating the services and the circumstances surrounding the foreign nationals’ activities in Bali.
