Monkeys and scooter thieves target Australian tourists in Bali, with rise in travel insurance claims
More Australian tourists are being attacked by cheeky monkeys and bag snatchers in popular holiday spots like Bali. This is how they’re doing it, and how to protect yourself.
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Exclusive: More Australian tourists are being attacked overseas by cheeky monkeys who steal phones, selfie sticks and injure them by pouncing on their heads and faces.
They are also being targeted by bag snatchers at airports and drive-by thieves on scooters, who rip their personal belongings from their hands before speeding off.
And in a disturbing new trend, thieves are stealing from overhead compartments on flights.
New data obtained by News Corp from 1Cover Travel Insurance has found claims made by Australians linked to monkeys has increased by 30 per cent from last year.
It included incidents where the animals stole belongings out of people’s hands, or from their hotel rooms in popular holiday spots like Bali, Thailand Sri Lanka and India.
The monkeys from Bali’s famous Uluwatu sea temple are smart and sneaky and get a thrill from stealing sunglasses and selfie sticks from naive tourists.
While local rangers can trade stolen goods back from the critters with food, not all monkeys will co-operate.
1Cover’s Chief Operating Officer Richard Warburton told News Corp: “Monkeys particularly love selfie sticks — we’ve seen a serious spike for people using selfie sticks right before their phone was snatched by a wayward macaque.”
He also said they have been inundated with general theft claims this year as bag snatching at airports has become a rising trend in Bali and Thailand.
Other countries where it’s common include Brazil, Italy, Spain and London.
“This type of crime has increased close to 20 per cent year on year,” he said.
Kuta Police told News Corp the bag snatching hot spot was surfside Echo Beach in Bali’s trendy Canggu.
“Thieves on motor bikes ride up very slowly behind an unsuspecting tourist and snatch a
target’s bag and speed away,” a spokesman said.
“This often hurts the tourist because they can be dragged along the ground.
“Visitors to Bali should not have their bags swinging off a shoulder but hold it across their body.
“Valuables should be locked in the storage area of a motorbike and not be worn while riding. “Using a phone to take pictures while on a bike also attracts thieves.”
While such attacks are on the rise, BIMC hospital in Indonesia claims many tourists who are not licensed to ride a bike claim they have been attacked by thieves when in a bike accident so their travel insurance will cover the medical cost.
Natalie Ball, Director of comparetravelinsurance.com.au there is also a growing trend in thieves stealing from overhead plane compartments, with a 20 per cent increase in travel claims.
“Travellers have long been following the mantra ‘don’t pack valuables in your luggage’, however, this has led to carry-on bags being the new lucrative target,” she said.
“Travel insurance claims for valuables either stolen or left behind on planes is on the rise.”
Ms Ball said insurance policyholders should be aware that unattended items are not usually covered by travel insurance.
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“It is almost impossible to keep a watchful eye on your belongings on long-haul flights that require some shut-eye, so when it comes to overhead compartments, where possible, always find space within a compartment that is within your view and keep any valuables on you or stow your bag under the seat in front of you,” she said.
But she said Australians can remove themselves from the “easy target list”.
“Don’t be flashy, most of us travel with small electronic devices and some cash, but don’t flash these things around,” she said.
Ms Ball said travellers should choose luggage wisely as high-end bags get unwanted attention, and avoid packing valuable items in a suitcase.
Those with lost luggage must report it to the airline before leaving the luggage area.
She also warned travellers to be ready with the right documentation when making a claim, which may include a police report.
“You will need to provide an itemised list of your belongings,” she said.
“Take a picture of all of your items laid out during the packing process.
“You’ll also need airline ticket receipts and receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses you incur.”