Urgent warning to Aussies travelling to Bali amid spate of pickpocket crime catching tourists off guard

A travel guide has issued an urgent warning to Aussies looking to travel to Bali, amid reports of a rise in pickpocket crime plaguing the Indonesian holiday hotspot.

Samantha, an Australian travel guide and influencer who regularly shares travel information about Bali online, posted a video earlier this month warning about the worrying trend.

In the video, which has since been viewed more than 250,000 times, the content creator claims locals had noticed a rise in phone snatching and jewellery grabbing, typically by people passing on mopeds.

The influencer said it was causing tourists “a lot of problems” at the moment because it was happening in popular places like Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu.

“Guys, if you’re coming to Bali anytime soon, there is one thing that you need to be aware of,” Samantha began.

“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.

“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 2 people personally that have had their necklaces pulled off in Canggu. It’s really, really bad at the moment. I’ve had so many of my local friends warn me.”

Samantha goes on to encourage tourists who are looking to travel to Bali to keep jewellery hidden while walking on the street and keep their phones safely stored away.

She added that carrying valuable items on the arm furthest from the roadside would help prevent potential thieves on scooters from snatching them.

Responding to the warning, Angus Kidman, a travel expert at Finder, told Yahoo Lifestyle that it was a “sobering reminder” to Aussies to stay alert while travelling.

“‘Travel insurance can cover you for a stolen phone, so make sure your policy includes that, and have the details of your policy stored somewhere other than your phone,” he said.

“If you can’t afford the insurance, you can’t afford the trip.”

Smartraveller warns Australians to “exercise a high degree of caution” while visiting Indonesia.

“Theft, robbery, pickpocketing, bag and phone snatching can happen. These crimes can sometimes be violent,” it states.

“Be careful of thieves on motorcycles, especially if you’re walking, in upmarket shopping malls, in crowded public transport, at traffic lights, if you’re in a stopped car, at bars and nightclubs, when entering and leaving accommodation — including villas in Bali.”