Warning as tourists keep falling for Bali money exchange scam

An Australian traveller has praised a Bali local for alerting her to this trick and saving her from losing a stack of cash. Others weren’t so lucky.

An Australian traveller has praised a Bali local for alerting her to a scam she had fallen victim to, which ended up saving her from losing some of her hard-earned cash.

The Adelaide resident posted in a local Facebook group for the popular holiday destination warning travellers about the trick that almost cost her a pretty penny. And unfortunately it’s not the first time travellers to Bali have fallen victim to the notorious scam.

It involves some money changers pocketing more than travellers had expected upon handing over their cash to be exchanged into the local currency.

The woman says she was very surprised to learn she had been stung a the shop worker, as she thought she had been cautious and had checked she had received the right amount, counting her money over and over again.

“I used a non authorised user, countered the money three times and then later in the day, my driver said check money now (sic), and I couldn’t believe it, it was much less,” the woman posted in the Bali Bogans Facebook group.

Luckily for her, upon realising she had been swindled, her driver sprung into action.

“My driver drove me back to that person, and told him to give me my money back or he will call police (sic).

“ … He’s the best. He sees this happen all the time. This is one good reason to have a personal driver for your whole stay.”

As for the money changer, he gave the money back and asked them to leave.

“He did not argue, did not apologise, just gave me my money back and told me to and my driver to get out,” she said.

Tourists are warned to watch their cash when at money changers. Picture: iStock

Commenters praised the driver’s actions, calling him a “champ”, and unfortunately many also shared their stories of falling victim to similar tricks from money changers in the holiday hotspot.

Some likened how the scam works to “magic” as it’s so easy to miss the money disappearing during the exchange.

“My son wanted to use one and I said no go to (an) official one,” one tourist wrote. “Being young he insisted so I stood there with him and watched. Saw nothing! Walked away said count and was missing $50. Walked back and kicked up a fuss and he threw original money at us. They are sooo good at what they do. All day I was like ‘wow I am impressed’!”.

While another commented: “Imagine how much money they rip off from unsuspecting tourists. We have been caught twice. Watched them like hawks and still got ripped off. Got our money back the last time. Never ever again”.

A man withdraws money from an ATM in Bali.

A third said: “Recently caught one of these guys who’d skimmed $20 off my transaction and demanded correct agreed amount. He said ‘that’s our commission’. I pointed out sign says ‘no commission’ and he said ‘no but that’s our tax to pay’. Threat of police and that $200 miraculously reappeared, as did scowling angry face behind the counter”.

Another said: “Magic money trick, gets the new tourists every time. I had a friend here a few months ago. She exchanged $600, counted it, walked away. When she told me, I said count it again now. She discovered IDR3,000,000 ($A300) was missing. I took her back there and blasted them in Indonesian, they immediately gave her, her money back. They had the exact amount they stole sitting under the counter”.

Others explained the trick: “It’s easy to spot them! They count out IDR correctly first time then when you are checking your AUD they count the IDR a second time and that’s when they drop a big note down into their lap! You can fun with them, as soon as they count your money out put your hand on it! I’ve caught them every time! They don’t like it and it and won’t let them catch you a second time”.

While another said: “He pulls out the right amount of money first then you count it, he counts it then taps it on the counter to bundle it up and a few notes fall back through fine slits, get it the first time count the top of the notes do not let them touch the money again or put it back on the counter.

“If he doesn’t get a few notes back you will hear all sorts of excuses that you need to pay a service fee or he made a mistake and needs the money back. Best option is not to use the ones with the high dodgy rate, slight of hand at its best.”

The holiday paradise has some tricks but so does many popular destinations. Picture: Getty Images

When it came to advise on how to avoid getting ripped off, frequent visitors to Bali had some top tips.

“You don’t let them count it once you’ve counted it because that’s when I get ya (sic),” one said.

“The trick is where they touch it after counting it out in front of you. It’s a sleight of hand. Make sure once it’s laid out flat on the bench, then don’t let them touch it again, and that you count it in front of them before you leave,” another advised.

Tourists wanting to exchange money are recommended to go to a bank, their hotel, or a money-changing outlet that displays in-date business permits and licenses. Traveller’s cash cards are used by some as another option.

Officials have conducted spot checks on money changing outlets in Kuta, Seminyak and Legian, as authorities and the Bank of Indonesia work to crackdown on illegitimate money changers in the popular resort towns, the Bali Sun reports. Some premises that did not have proper permits were closed, but some are believed to have reopened.

However another traveller has warned of a scam targeting some Commonwealth Bank ATMs across Bali where a handwritten “closed” sign is placed on one in what they believe is an attempt to lure people to use the other nearby ATM that was fitted with a card-skimming device.

The traveller wrote: “Three or four people came through and went to go use the next ATM over, but I told them the ATM was fine, so they could use the Commbank one.

“The [man] kept on watching me like he was angry; as soon as I walked away, I watched him put another sign on it.”

It’s advised to use ATMS inside banks when possible, instead of on the street.

There are other scams in Bali targeting Australian tourists, including a “coin scam”.

Ultimately, Todd Nelson, managing director of Cover-More Australia said it was essential Australians learn about common tourist scams ahead of their trips.

“This will help ensure you can recognise a scam if – or when – a scammer approaches you while on holiday,” he told news.com.au.

While Cover-More said currency exchange scams are common and advised travellers to be aware of “official” looking money exchanges that will advertise a great rate, but offer the wrong change, miscount your money or handover invalid banknotes.

“Use ATMs or travel cards where possible to avoid being scammed,” it advises.