Question 1

What is the "Fake e-VOA and Visa Website" scam in Bali?

Accepted Answer

Third-party websites rank highly in Google searches for Bali e-VOA or Indonesia visa on arrival, charging inflated fees sometimes three to five times the official rate to process applications travelers could complete themselves on the official immigration site. Some sites collect payment and personal data without submitting anything, leaving travelers without a valid visa on arrival. The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office has specifically flagged rising visa agent fraud in Indonesia. Only apply for Indonesian visas through the official immigration portal at molina.imigrasi.go.id. The domain must end in .go.id — any other domain is unofficial. Check the current fee on the official site before paying anyone.

Question 2

What is the "Booking Platform Phishing Scam" scam in Bali?

Accepted Answer

Hackers compromise legitimate hotel accounts on Booking.com and send official-looking messages to confirmed guests claiming their booking will be cancelled unless payment is verified through a provided link. The link leads to a convincing fake payment portal that harvests card details. This scam is distinct from fake listings — the accommodation and booking are real, but fraudsters have taken over the property messaging account. Always pay through the official booking platform payment system, never through a link sent via message. If you receive a payment request outside the normal booking flow, call the property directly using the phone number on their official website, not the one in the message.

Online Scams in Bali

Fake e-VOA and Visa Website

Booking Platform Phishing Scam

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