Street Scams in Bali, Indonesia
Pickpockets, distraction thieves, fake petitions, and street hustles in tourist areas. Below are the street scams scams reported in Bali — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Palawan, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
3
Street Scams Scams
15
Total in Bali
How it works
A friendly local poses as an art student and invites tourists to their "end of year exhibition" near Ubud or Seminyak. The gallery is a commercial shop with heavily overpriced paintings. Emotional pressure and guilt tactics are used to make tourists feel obligated to purchase.
How it works
A friendly local poses as an art student and invites tourists to their "end of year exhibition" near Ubud or Seminyak. The gallery is actually a commercial shop with heavily overpriced paintings. Emotional pressure and guilt tactics are used to make tourists feel obligated to purchase.
How it works
Locals set up a rope or barrier across a road near a village, claiming a ceremony is in progress and requesting a "donation" for the community before allowing vehicles to pass. The ceremony may be real but the roadblock toll is informal and the money goes to individuals, not a community fund.
See all scams in Bali
15 total warnings across all categories