DENPASAR, Bali — Three foreign women have been arrested in Bali after authorities uncovered an alleged online sex operation, in a case that is once again putting the spotlight on how tourist visas are being misused on the island.

The arrests were carried out by Kantor Imigrasi Kelas I TPI Denpasar following an online monitoring operation that identified a website offering sexual services involving foreign nationals.

Head of the office, R Haryo Sakti, said the discovery prompted an immediate investigation.

“Based on our findings, the enforcement team conducted further investigation and carried out simultaneous raids at two locations,” he said on Monday (May 4, 2026).

The first raid took place at a villa in Mengwi, Badung, where two women — identified as EJN (21) from Nigeria and ED (22) from Russia — were detained. Both had entered Indonesia using short-term visit stay permits via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

A second operation was conducted at a hotel in Renon, Denpasar, where another Russian national, AR (27), was arrested while in a room with a male companion. She had arrived in Indonesia on April 22 under the same type of visa.

All three women are currently being held for further questioning. Authorities suspect they violated immigration regulations by engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa status.

Sakti stressed that Indonesia has zero tolerance for such violations.

“There is no room for misuse of stay permits. Foreign nationals must comply with regulations and contribute positively during their stay,” he said.

The case adds to a growing list of incidents involving foreign nationals misusing tourist visas in Bali, particularly in connection with illegal or unauthorized commercial activities.