Text message, vengeance claim in Bali sex raid scandal

Shocking new claims, text messages and explosive details have emerged following the arrest of a former AFL star’s wife in Bali.

Explosive new claims have emerged in the Bali massage parlour affair with the wife of former AFL premiership player Ricky Olarenshaw making a desperate plea.

Sarnanitha “Nitha” Olarenshaw, an Instagram influencer with 20,000 followers, was arrested in Bali last week over her alleged involvement in a spa accused of engaging in prostitution.

Nitha, who has a daughter with Ricky, was named as Flame Spa massage parlour’s commissioner and was arrested after the spa was raided by police last month.

Nitha’s lawyer Donny Tri Istiqomah has now claimed his client was the “victim of exploitation” from unidentified foreign citizens.

The Herald Sun first reported Nitha made a statement with Donny before her arrest.

“Please help me. I am worried I am going to be arrested today and lose my daughter,” she said.

Ricky and Nitha separated earlier this year.

The former Essendon star has since returned to Australia.

Nitha Olarenshaw. (Facebook)

Nitha has a daughter with former Essendon player Ricky Olarenshaw. (Facebook)

The separation caused turmoil in their business relationship — and with their alleged business partners.

Nitha was listed in documents as the owner of the business, but she claims the former footballer and three other Australian men had interests in the massage business. These claims are unproven.

Her new claims, through her lawyer, include extraordinary allegations the police raid was an act of vengeance.

She said in the statement she received threatening WhatsApp messages where an unidentified person threatened go to police over unpaid money demands.

Former Essendon star Ricky Olarenshaw and his ex-wife Sarnanitha. Source: Facebook

Rick Olarenshaw with his wife Nitha at a lavish bash for his 50th birthday. (Facebook)

“There is an amicable way to settle this or we escalate the war. Your choice. Think of your kid’s sake, don’t do silly things,” the WhatsApp message purportedly said.

“A few days after the raid on September 5, 2024, Hinchliffe again threatened Nitha with a WhatsApp message. He confirmed the raid happened because of him,” Nitha’s statement said.

“If Nitha still refuses then Hinchliffe said Flame will be closed forever and Nitha and all her staff will be completely imprisoned.”

According to Nine Newspapers, a person wrote in another message: “If you don’t play ball with me and issue our dividends … I will shut down Flame as an illegal business and you’re liable as the shareholder, [sic] we will put you in jail for sex trafficking and fraud”.

Police also raided a second massage parlour, the Pink Palace Spa in Kerobokan.

Eleven handcuffed people were put before a police press conference where authorities detailed evidence of the alleged prostitution operation.

Two receptionists, a manager and a director of The Flame Spa were also arrested with Nitha.

It is not known if any of the business associates had any knowledge of any alleged illegal activity at Flame Spa.

Prostitution is illegal in Indonesia. Flame Spa Bali’s website says “We strictly prohibit sexual intercourse.”

Rick Olarenshaw when he played for Essendon Football Club.

The Flame Spa workers who are under arrest in Bali. Picture: Bali Police

Speaking at the time of the raid on Flame Spa, senior commissioner of police Jansen Avitus Panjaitan said that three women were arrested.

“The three people are Flame Spa employees, one manager and two receptionists,” he said.

Services at Flame Spa range from $189 to $283 per session, according to police.

Its motto is “our service is more than just a sensual massage, it is an erotic experience. Our aim is to ignite your flame”.

Ricky played 77 games for Essendon, starting in 1993, before spending two seasons at Collingwood where he only played five games.

He then spent one season at North Melbourne for just one senior appearance before announcing his retirement.

Since then he moved to Bali and became a successful businessman off the back of three F45 gyms.

He has also garnered a reputation as being “The King of Bali” throwing lavish parties for his former AFL friends.

Originally published as Text message, vengeance claim in Bali sex raid scandal