A British man was shortchanged by money changers in Bali, police said, in yet another instance of such fraudulent activity in Bali – this time in Canggu.
Scott James Deakin, 27, who stayed at the Paradiso Hotel in Kuta, claimed that he lost some IDR8 million (US$509.84) after exchanging his foreign currency at two money changers on Munduk Catu Road in Canggu, North Kuta.
Deakin was in the tourist hotspot on Nov. 14 and sought to exchange money while he was on his way back to his hotel at around 7:30pm.
North Kuta Police Chief Putu Diah Kurniawandari said that the victim exchanged EUR300 for a rate of above IDR15,000 per euro and thus expected to receive IDR4.7 million. However, Deakin only received IDR2.7 million.
The victim later went to another money changer in the same street in the hope of exchanging his US$800 (IDR12,552,240). However, the second money changer claimed that he only gave them US$600.
Deakin said he wanted to argue but chose not to make a big fuss right there and then. He left with IDR6 million, which was still less than the IDR9.4 million he was supposed to get for US$600.
After he went back to his hotel, Deakin realized that he was scammed and filed a report with the police.
In a swift response, police launched an investigation and found that the two money changers had been in cahoots to scam tourists. They arrested one employee, who was identified by his initials IKRW, 21.
Two other employees, aged 16 and 17, were apprehended and released due to their status as minors. The 17-year-old now serves as a witness as he was not present when Deakin dealt with the money changers.
Badung Police spokesman I Ketut Sudana told reporters over the weekend that investigation into the alleged scam is ongoing.
Reader Interactions