KOMPAS and NusaBali report that a Russian, identified only by the initials AI (41), has told Bali Police that he was kidnapped on Thursday, 02 July 2026, in South Kuta and held captive for 30 hours until he surrendered deposits held in his crypto asset accounts.
A spokesman for the Bali Police, Chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy. Confirmed the report of the crime, affirming a police hunt was underway for the alleged perpetrator. “Yes, we have received a report regarding the alleged kidnapping and extortion of a Russian citizen (with the initials) AI. The operational team in the field is currently gathering all evidence and clues to identify the perpetrators,” said Ariasandy in a written statement on Thursday, 09 July 2026.
Bali Police, Chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy
Based on the police report, the incident occurred on Thursday, 02 July 2026, at approximately 9:35 pm. At the time of his abduction, AI was riding a motorcycle after leaving a restaurant where he worked. As he was passing Jalan Uluwatu-Jalan Belimbing in Pecatu, South Kuta, the Russian was stopped by his assailants, who were driving a black Nissan Serena. Two people wearing masks then got out of the car, handcuffed the victim’s hands using plastic handcuffs, and covered his head. The victim was then taken to a two-story house and allegedly held for about 30 hours. During his detention, the victim claims he was assaulted, experiencing physical violence in the form of punches and kicks.
The kidnappers abused the man, forcing him to surrender passwords for his Crypto Asset Account. During the attack, the perpetrators also stole Xiaomi’s AI cellphone. In addition, the man’s key to his rented villa was taken from his motorcycle. In possession of the Russian’s villa keys, they used the keys to enter his home, where they took a second handphone in order to facilitate access to their victim’s Crypto Asset Account,
After some 30 hours in captivity, on Saturday, 04 July 2026, at around 4:00 a.m., AI was dumped on the roadside of Jalan Prabu Udayana,in front of Udayana University Hospital, Jimbaran. Badly beaten, the injured Russian went to the nearby Emergency Room (IGD) at Udayana University Hospital for medical treatment.
Police Investigate Four Locations
Ariasandy shared that police investigators had conducted crime scene investigations at four different locations and interviewed several witnesses. At the point where the man was stopped and at the time of his abduction, Jalan Uluwatu-Jalan Belimbing was relatively deserted, with few CCTV surveillance cameras in operation. Meanwhile, at the victim’s villa, the CCTV system, electricity, and Wi-Fi network were reportedly malfunctioning due to a short circuit.
Investigators have, however, identified the vehicle allegedly used by the kidnappers as a black Nissan Serena. Moreover, Bali Police’s Forensic Laboratory and Cyber Directorate Investigators are now tracking the victim’s movements based on the electronic footprints (i.e., cell phone dumps) associated with the victim’s active phone number.
According to Ariasandy, investigators are still analyzing digital evidence, including CCTV footage from the scene and along the route the perpetrators are suspected of taking. Commenting further, Ariasandy said: “The Bali Police will not tolerate any form of criminal activity, especially those targeting tourists or foreign nationals in Bali. We urge the public who see suspicious vehicles or activity at the time of the incident to immediately report details to the nearest police station.”
Police initially became aware of the kidnapping when an associate of the victim, a fellow Russian national identified by the initials KK (37), notified the police on Saturday at 00:40 am that AI was missing.
Police are undertaking an extensive investigation of the incident, considering the case under the Indonesian criminal code (KUHP) as a kidnapping, physical assault, and armed robbery.
Police have yet to reveal if their manhunt for the perpetrator is focused on foreigners or Indonesian nationals as the suspected perpetrators. Police have yet to share the amount of money lost from Crypto Asset Accounts owned by AI.
Related Link
New Trends in Bali Crime Affecting Foreigners
Foreign Nationals in Bali Involved in Crime
Insulting Bali and the Balinese Online, Swiss Tourist Arrested in Bali
BREAKING: Ukrainian Man Kidnapped by a Criminal Syndicate in Bali
Bali Court Sends Brazilian Cocaine Smuggler to Jail for 18 Years
Woman Motorcyclist Dies in Bali Purse Snatching Incident
Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali Update
