Australia’s favourite holiday destination, Bali, is being hit by a wave of snatch-and-grab thefts targeting unsuspecting tourists.

Aussies heading to the island hotspot are being warned by local authorities to be vigilant as opportunistic thieves target holidaymakers by swiping jewellery, phones, and bags.

According to The Bali Sun, pickpocketing and drive-by bag snatching are among the most common crimes targeting tourists. These incidents typically involve thieves on motorbikes who scout popular tourist areas, before riding alongside unsuspecting travellers, snatching their bags or valuables and speeding away.

Popular tourist hubs such as Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, Legian and Uluwatu are prime targets, particularly after dark around crowded areas such as open-air markets and busy streets lined with restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Bali-based Australian travel guide Samantha warned the problem has become “really bad”, in a social media video viewed more than 278,000 times.

“Bali is my favourite place on the planet Earth. Bali has so much to offer and there are so many things that I love about the place,” Samantha said.

“But the one thing that’s really causing a lot of problems at the moment on the island is phone snatching and jewellery snatching.

“I know two people personally that have had their necklaces pulled off in Canggu while another had her phone snatched from her hand while walking along the footpath. It’s really, really bad at the moment.”

Commenting on Samantha’s post, Peter Giuffre echoed her warning:

“I’ve spoken directly with locals, tourists, and the police, and these snatch-and-grab thefts are happening daily right now,” he wrote.

“From Kuta and Seminyak to Canggu, thieves commonly on motorbikes are heavily targeting exposed phones and jewellery. Stay vigilant!”

Drawn by its close proximity, affordability, beautiful beaches, world-class surf and laid-back lifestyle, Bali has long been popular with Australians.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 1.5 million Aussies visited Indonesia in 2024, making it Australia’s most popular overseas destination, with the vast majority heading to Bali.

In an effort to tackle the crime, Bali police told local media they have stepped up night patrols at the island’s most vulnerable areas.

They have also urged tourists to be cautious, and take steps to protect their belongings, recommending the following:

• Travel by taxi where possible, especially at night.
• Store valuables such as expensive jewellery, watches, sunglasses and important documents securely at your accommodation.
• Keep your phone in a zipped pocket and avoid walking along the street with it in your hand.
• Tuck necklaces under your clothing.
• Wear cross-body bags and keep them zipped shut.
• Avoid keeping your phone in plain sight where it can be easily snatched, for example, when dining out or lounging by a pool or beach.

Head of the Public Relations Sub-Division at Badung Police, Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, told The Bali Sun that anyone who witnessed or experienced a crime should “report it immediately to the nearest police station or via the National Police Call Centre at 110.”