BADUNG, Bali — A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a man wearing an online motorcycle taxi uniform allegedly selling bottled fuel to foreign nationals in Bali as the island continues to face shortages and long queues at filling stations.

Posts sharing the video claim that around 1.5 litres of fuel were being offered for between Rp150,000 and Rp200,000, far above normal pump prices. Several posts say the footage was recorded in Canggu, North Kuta, although the exact location has not been independently verified.

The video shows a man wearing clothing associated with an online motorcycle taxi service holding what appears to be a bottle containing fuel while speaking with a group of foreigners. It is unclear whether the man is an active ride-hailing driver, what type of fuel was being offered, or whether a transaction at the prices claimed on social media actually took place.

The footage emerged as Bali continues to struggle with disrupted fuel distribution, with long queues reported at stations in Denpasar, Badung and other parts of the island.

High-priced fuel sales have also appeared elsewhere on social media during the shortage. DetikBali reported finding sellers on TikTok, Facebook and Threads offering Pertalite and Pertamax in plastic bottles, with some advertisements asking Rp50,000 to Rp100,000 per bottle and others quoting even higher prices.

Bali Police said investigators have begun looking into reports of fuel being sold through social media at inflated prices. Police spokesperson Kombes Ariasandy said teams from the provincial police and district criminal investigation units had been deployed to determine whether any of the reported activity involved criminal offences.

Badung Police Chief AKBP Joseph Edward Purba also warned residents against illegally reselling subsidised fuel or exploiting the current disruption for personal profit.

He specifically warned against using modified fuel tanks to purchase subsidised fuel for resale or transferring subsidised fuel into containers for unauthorised sales.

Police have increased monitoring at several filling stations in Badung amid concerns over hoarding and misuse while supplies remain uneven. Officers have also been deployed to help manage traffic as queues at some stations spill onto surrounding roads.

Authorities said suspected misuse of subsidised fuel could result in criminal penalties, while investigations into online fuel sales are continuing.

The viral video has not been independently authenticated, and authorities have not confirmed the identity of the man shown, the nationality of the people seen with him, the exact location, or the amount allegedly paid.

Bali’s fuel distribution problems have already affected daily mobility, tourism transport and education, with some drivers spending hours in queues and several schools and universities shifting temporarily to online learning.