Aussie tourists warned over shock rise in Bali drive-by robberies

Australian tourists are being warned to beware as police on the holiday island of Bali urge caution on a new crime wave.

Police are urging tourists in Bali to be cautious while driving mopeds and motorcycles after a spate of drive-by phone robberies on the holiday island.

It came as a 16-year-old male was arrested after a tourist couple had their phones snatched from the holder on their moped in a terrifying incident, The Bali Sun reports.

While driving in Peliatan Village after a night out last month, the Ukrainian tourists were overtaken by two thieves riding a motorbike.

The famous Seminyak beach, a much-loved destination for Aussie tourists. Picture: Alamy

The thief riding on the back of the motorcycle swiped the phone from the holder as the driver sped away.

The tourists then tried to chase the thieves but lost control when going down a steep prad and ended up crashing into a ravine.

Police are now trying to track down the driver of the motorcycle. The alleged teen accomplice has already been arrested several times on similar offences, The Bali Sun reports.  

A senior police officer told The Bali Sun that mobile phone thieves were targeting international tourists. 

Seventeen stolen iPhones were allegedly recovered from the property of a 30-year-old man from Karangaem Regency after a string of thefts. 

Thieves have been targeting vulnerable tourists in Bali. Picture: istock

“(The phones) were then taken out and sold whole or broken into pieces, the LCDs and batteries were taken from each part of the cellphone, usually for service,” said Kadek Patra, the head of Ubud Police’s criminal investigation unit. 

Police are warning tourists to be vigilant and to avoid putting their valuables in places that are easily accessible to criminals.

Drivers are being urged to stow their valuables in the storage compartment under the seat of the moped or motorcycle and to be extremely mindful when using GPS maps on their mobiles to guide their journey.

It comes amid a rise in illegally operated holiday villas in Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud, three of the holiday island’s most popular resort areas.

Bali is famous for its stunning villas. Picture: iStock

A group of private villa managers have banded together to create the Bali Villa Rental Management Association, in a bid to curb the problem and ensure safety measures are adhered to.

Rogue private tourism villa rentals can pose a huge threat to tourists as many do not have proper safety standards.

In some cases, bewildered tourists have turned up to a property that is vastly different from what they thought they booked due to heartless marketing scams.

The Chairman of the Bali Villa Rental Management Association, Kadek Adyana, said the move aimed to prioritise the safety of tourists and to help advocate for the commercial and political interests of Balinese business owners, The Bali Sun reports. 

Originally published as Aussie tourists warned over shock rise in Bali drive-by robberies