BADUNG, Bali — Thirteen foreign nationals have been detained in Bali as immigration authorities investigate an alleged prostitution operation involving 12 women suspected of working as sex workers and a Ukrainian man suspected of facilitating their services.

The foreigners were detained during a joint operation by the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration and the Bali Police on Thursday evening, Sept. 17, in three tourist areas of Badung regency — Canggu, Seminyak and Umalas.

The operation followed information from members of the public that was then investigated through field checks, undercover methods and verification of online platforms, immigration officials said.

WhatsApp and Telegram Led Investigators to the Suspects

In Canggu, officers first detained a Russian woman identified as IP at a villa. She was suspected of misusing her stay permit to work as a sex worker, with bookings allegedly arranged through WhatsApp.

Further investigation led officers to an apartment occupied by OG, a Ukrainian man suspected of facilitating the prostitution operation.

According to immigration authorities, OG held an Investor Temporary Stay Permit, or ITAS, that had expired on Oct. 14, 2025. IP held a Remote Worker stay permit that was valid until Nov. 8, 2026.

In Seminyak, officers traced an online platform allegedly used to promote prostitution services before conducting surveillance at a villa on Jalan Bidadari.

Three Nigerian women were detained there. Immigration authorities said all three held internship visitor permits that had expired, with overstays of 58, 94 and 134 days respectively.

In Umalas, investigators followed leads through Telegram before conducting surveillance at a villa.

Four women were detained there — three from Russia, identified as DK, AG and KS, and one from Kazakhstan, identified as AS.

Officers later detained four Nigerian women in the same area, identified as HBO, MOL, GO and TE, who were also suspected of misusing their stay permits.

In total, the operation resulted in the detention of seven Nigerian nationals, four Russians, one Kazakh national and one Ukrainian national.

Prostitution Services Offered for Up to IDR 13.9 Million an Hour

Immigration officials said the alleged prostitution services had been promoted through WhatsApp, Telegram and websites, with some of the women allegedly operating in Bali for between three and six months.

Seven Nigerian women reportedly offered services for about AUD 800, or approximately IDR 10.1 million, per hour.

Five others from Russia and Kazakhstan reportedly charged up to AUD 1,100, or around IDR 13.9 million, per hour, according to immigration officials.

Most of the alleged clients were also foreign nationals staying in Bali, although authorities did not disclose their nationalities.

Raja Ulul Azmi Syahwali, head of intelligence and law enforcement at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, said investigators identified the alleged network through its online contacts.

“During the operation, we identified them through WhatsApp contacts, websites and Telegram,” Raja said at a news conference in Badung on Friday.

Ukrainian Man Faces Possible Criminal Charges

OG, the only man among the 13 detainees, is being treated differently from the 12 women because of his suspected role in facilitating the prostitution services.

Kompol I Made Dimas W., an officer with the Bali Police Criminal Investigation Directorate, said immigration authorities would coordinate with police over a possible criminal report against OG.

Police said his alleged activities could meet elements of offenses involving the facilitation of prostitution and human trafficking.

OG could face charges under Articles 420 and 421 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code concerning the facilitation of prostitution, as well as Article 455(1) concerning human trafficking. The alleged offenses carry a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, police said.

The 12 women, meanwhile, are being processed under Indonesia’s immigration law for allegedly engaging in activities inconsistent with their stay permits.

All 13 foreign nationals remain in detention at the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office while authorities conduct further examinations.

Immigration authorities said the 12 women could face deportation and a ban on re-entering Indonesia, while the case involving OG may proceed through the criminal justice system.