British holidaymakers visiting Bali have been put on alert following reports of a brazen scam targeting visitors to a popular free beach. Locals have been illegally charging tourists an entry fee to access Dreamland Beach in Uluwatu, an act which has sparked outrage and official investigation.
The Viral Scam Exposed
Footage of the fraudulent activity spread rapidly across social media, bringing the issue to light. One video shared on Instagram by user @budu.love showed a group of locals demanding 10,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 44p) from tourists attempting to walk onto the beach. The post served as a direct warning, stating: 'Would you pay 10,000 IDR to enter a free beach? Tourist warning. Another scam in Bali.'
The clip clearly shows tourists being confronted and asked for payment, with no official receipt or authority provided. Dreamland Beach, a famous white-sand spot favoured by surfers and sunbathers, is officially free to enter. The management body, Pecatu Traditional Village, does not impose any entry fees.
Official Response and Ongoing Investigation
Local authorities have acknowledged the problem after the video went viral. Ketut Gede Arta, Head of the South Kuta Sub-District where the beach is located, confirmed to The Bali Sun that officials coordinated a response. 'We actually coordinated on Sunday afternoon regarding the extortion issue after it went viral on social media,' he stated.
However, he noted that while village officials visited the location to investigate, they found no one carrying out the illegal levies. 'Because we haven't directly witnessed the illegal levies, this is still a guess,' Arta added, emphasising that regulations must be strictly followed in tourist zones.
Tourist Advice and Online Reaction
The incident has prompted a crucial reminder for all visitors to Bali: tourists should not pay for beach access or parking unless they receive an official printed ticket or receipt slip. This is a key indicator of a legitimate charge versus a scam.
Reaction online has been mixed but largely critical. One commenter shared a personal experience, writing: 'Yesterday, when I came with my husband, we were asked to pay 20,000 IDR, but no receipt was provided... As a local, this felt unclear and unfair like scam.' Others expressed broader frustrations with tourist-targeted fraud on the island.
While some attempted to justify the charges by comparing them to European practices, the fundamental issue remains that unauthorised individuals are profiting from a public, free beach. Officials hope to resolve the situation swiftly to protect Bali's reputation and ensure tourists are not exploited.
