DENPASAR, Bali — An American man who went viral for advertising a 5,400-square-meter plot of land in Kintamani has been deported from Bali after immigration authorities determined that his activities violated the conditions of his stay permit.

The 34-year-old, identified only by the initials SR, was deported through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Thursday, November 12, at approximately 9:20 p.m., according to the Denpasar Immigration Office.

The deportation followed an investigation launched in late July after a video circulated on Facebook showing the American promoting land overlooking the mountainous landscape of Kintamani in Bangli regency.

Denpasar Immigration Office head R. Haryo Sakti confirmed on Friday, November 13, that officers had found SR was engaging in activities inconsistent with the purpose for which his Indonesian stay permit had been issued.

The authorities imposed deportation as an administrative immigration measure under Article 75(1) of Indonesia’s Immigration Law No. 6 of 2011.

Viral Land Promotion Led to Investigation

The case first attracted public attention in July when a Facebook video showed SR promoting a 54-are plot of land in Kintamani to potential investors and property developers.

In the English-language video, the man described the land’s mountain views and suggested it could appeal to developers interested in building villas or hotels.

He also claimed to have spent approximately five years persuading the landowner to make the property available for sale.

The video prompted questions about whether a foreign national could legally carry out property marketing activities under the terms of his immigration permit.

Denpasar Immigration summoned SR for clarification on July 30, but he failed to attend the initial appointment. Authorities subsequently pursued further inquiries into his activities.

At the time, the authenticity of the listing and the circumstances surrounding the promotion were still being examined.

Immigration Confirms Permit Violation

Following its investigation, Denpasar Immigration concluded that SR’s land marketing activities did not comply with the purpose of his stay permit.

Haryo said the deportation was part of the office’s efforts to enforce immigration regulations and maintain public order in Bali.

Bali regional immigration chief Ramdhani also supported the enforcement action, emphasizing that foreign nationals must comply with Indonesian laws while living or conducting activities in the country.

Authorities have not publicly specified the exact category of SR’s stay permit or whether the advertised property was ultimately sold.

The confirmed immigration violation concerns the nature of his activities in relation to his permit, rather than a finding that the land itself was illegally offered for sale.

The deportation marks the latest development in a case first reported by The Bali Times in August, when officials were still investigating the viral property advertisement.