Bali, 15/07/2025– A Russian citizen, Iuliia, has reportedly fallen victim to a villa rental scam in Umalas, Bali. The case, which has resulted in both financial and emotional losses, is now being handled through legal channels with representation from two prominent law firms.
Alleged Fraud in Villa Rental Agreement
Bali Villa Rental Scam Russian National Victim 2
The incident began when Iuliia found an advertisement for a villa on social media. She was then approached by an individual with the initials T, who claimed to be the owner of the property. A rental agreement for three months was made, with a total payment of IDR 93 million. The transaction also involved a third party, IA, who acted as a witness and received the payment via bank transfer.
After completing the full payment upfront, Iuliia was denied access to the villa. She was told the property was undergoing emergency renovations and asked to vacate temporarily. However, upon further investigation, no such renovations ever took place—raising strong suspicions of intentional deception.
Legal Representation and Response
Iuliia is currently represented by a legal team from Fanisa Wilson Law Firm & Partners and JS Law Office & Partners, consisting of:
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Jesicha J. Soeharto, S.H.
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Fitri Anisa, S.H., C.TT.
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Dimas Roland Jonas Suhartono, S.H.
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Ibrahim Basarewan, S.H., C.L.A.
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Anita Heptariza, S.H.
According to the legal team, Iuliia had fulfilled all her obligations as a tenant, including full upfront payment as outlined in the contract. However, her rights to occupy the villa were never honored.
“Our client has suffered not only financial loss but also psychological distress from being deceived and manipulated. We have issued a formal legal notice and visited the alleged offender’s family, but there has been no goodwill shown. If this continues, we will proceed with a civil lawsuit for breach of contract in court,” the legal team stated.
Warning for Foreigners Renting Property in Bali
This case highlights the growing concern over fraudulent villa rental practices targeting foreign nationals in Bali. Both tourists and investors are strongly advised to:
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Verify the legality of rental properties
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Ensure all agreements are supported with official documents
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Utilize licensed and professional property agents
These steps are essential to avoid legal complications and financial losses.
As of this publication, the individuals identified as the villa owner and intermediary have not issued any official response or clarification regarding the accusations. (Red)
