The Bali Police Cyber Unit has launched an undercover investigation after receiving reports of a growing number of people using cryptocurrencies to transact on the island. Investigation chief Nanang Prihasmoko said police found a car rental group on Telegram and contacted the suspects as regular users interested in car rental services. The law enforcement officers asked for a wallet address for payment and made an appointment to rent a car.
At the so-called “meeting” the entrepreneur was arrested. The police seized from him a mobile phone used for cryptocurrency transactions, a Pajero Sport car and a bank card. In the hands of the police also turned out to be an entrepreneur’s account on the Indodax cryptocurrency exchange, a Telegram account, and screenshots of correspondence with clients. The man is under arrest.
According to police, several cafes, car rentals and real estate agencies have recently been identified in Bali using cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. Prihasmoko explained that under Indonesian law, using crypto assets to make payments instead of the Indonesian rupiah could result in one year in prison and a fine of 200 million Indonesian rupiah ($13,337). The Inspector emphasized that only the use of the Indonesian rupiah is encouraged in the country as it is the only currency in Indonesia.
A few days ago, the Bali authorities announced that they would fight the use of cryptocurrencies on the island. Foreign tourists also face serious punishment, up to and including deportation.
Source: Bits
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