Crime can be a major
problem throughout Indonesia, though it is most serious in large cities like
Kuta on Bali or Jakarta and Yogyakarta on Java. While terrorist activities or major natural
disasters happen once a year or so, there are entire economies founded on
purse-snatching, phony ATMs, hotel theft and crooked taxi drivers.
Non Violent
The good news about crime in Indonesia is that it is largely non-violent. The
bad news is that what thieves lack in physical aggressiveness they make up for
in ever-more cunning ways to separate you from your money, jewelry, personal
electronics or IDs. A rule of thumb is to assume that at some point during your
travels through crowded tourist areas, somebody will stick his or her hand into
your pocket. Someone on the street will start chatting you up in order to get
your money (whether of your own volition or by distracting you while a friend
takes your stuff).
In order to be prepared and protect your valuables, read on to learn about some
common scams in Indonesian cities and how to avoid them.
What To Watch For
Home to the second-largest urban area in the world, sometimes it seems like
there's a new con devised every day in Jakarta. Other Indonesian cities are
similarly dense. The sheer mass of poverty-stricken people packed together
makes crime easy not only easy, but an economic fact of life. While a vacation
in Indonesia can be exhilarating, enriching and rewarding, nothing can put a
damper on your week than losing your wallet, passport, camera or laptop.
Pickpockets
Common sense rules apply in Indonesia. Just assume that at some point, someone
is going to try to steal from you. Most thieves caught in the act will simply
run away, so the trick is to carry everything you have (camera, PDA, MP3
player, etc) in a location on your person that ensures you catch any thief in
the act of attempting to steal it. A pouch around your neck works, as does a
fanny pack.
Keep in mind that pickpockets often work in pairs or groups, with one person
seeking to distract a mark while others subtly divest him of his valuables. If
a stranger wants to come up to talk to you, be suspicious and pay attention to
your surroundings. If you start to feel like something's off with the
situation, politely inform the would-be con artist that you have to go, you're
late for an appointment, etc., etc.
Finally, some pickpockets go so far as to lace drinks with powerful narcotics.
They will offer you a drink, perhaps in a bar or on a plane, and this drink
will cause you to pass out. Then, they take everything on your person. Obviously,
the lesson here is not to take drinks from people you don't know.
Transportation
The most common place travelers lose their valuables is in transit. The public
transportation system in Indonesia's cities, from buses to trains to cabs, to
tricycle scooters (bajaj) to motorcycle taxis (ojek) can feel like a trip to
the insane asylum for many Westerners.
(A Bajaj: no. No. Did I say NO!)
Everything moves so fast! And nobody
seems to pay any attention! And there are so many people? While you may feel
the urge to sit back and just let the world spin, you should always keep a part
of your mind alert to the very real possibility that there are predators in the
sea of traffic.
Train Tips
* Don't use the "ekonomi" class trains if you are very scared of
having your things stolen. Most tourists use the "ekonomi AC" class
trains, while the poor, unwashed masses use the non-air-conditioned ones.
* Hold all bags in front of you and don't keep anything of value in your
pockets.
Bus Tips
* Don't take the bus unless you speak at least functional Indonesian
* Hold your bags in front of you, as with the train. Don't let the many
distractions on the bus (musical numbers, magic shows, etc.) take your mind
from your money.
Taxi Tips
* Make sure the windows are closed and the doors are locked. People may walk or
ride up to your window at a stoplight, reach into the cab to grab a bag from
your lap and run away before you can do anything about it.
* Hotel taxis are often the most reliable. If you plan on being out late in a
disreputable area, you might want to pay the taxi driver to wait for you.
* Blue Bird Taxiku, Express, Dian Taksi and Taxicab are the four most reliable
servicers in Jakarta and throughout Javanese cities.
* Ask your taxi driver, "argo?" to determine if he has a meter. If he
says no or if he says "tidak," don't take him - he's trying to scam
you.
* Bajaj shouldn't cost more than 5,000 Rp. If your driver tries to charge more,
move on.
Credit Card Fraud
Ideally, you shouldn't use your credit card to make purchases in Indonesia, even
if a storefront has a card reader. Use cash when you can. Many business owners
have few qualms about looking at your card, writing it down or memorizing the
number, and using it to make purchases in the future. Other forms of credit
card fraud include items installed on ATMs to read your card information. You
can prevent this growing trend from happening to you by actually entering a
bank to get cash rather than just off the street. Make sure your hotel, bank
and other businesses you deal with are known for their integrity.
If you do decide to use your credit card, make sure you monitor your balance
very closely. If you see any unauthorized purchase, cancel the card
immediately.
Organized Crime
Heaven help you if you feel the need to a) gamble or b) buy drugs. These
industries are illegal throughout the country and are, by and large, run by
organized crime syndicates whose sole economic purpose is to siphon money
through extortion, bribery and any means possible from those who have it. For
instance, many of the police officers are in on the crime game. They offer to
look the other way when a dealer sells illegal drugs in exchange for the
opportunity to bust you for possession and demand a hefty bribe or a sentence.
Furthermore, if a syndicate is in trouble, they will think nothing of making
you the fall guy, even if you only made one purchase or played one round of
cards. This could land you a lengthy prison sentence - not exactly the
excitement you wanted from your trip to Indonesia!
Police
Indonesia is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Policemen are paid
meager wages, which they often try to supplement by intimidating foreigners
with made-up offenses, then asking for bribes.
(Perks of the job: great uniform and an income stream)
The best way to get out of this
situation is to act like an Indonesian - smile, nod, pretend you don't
understand, nicely ask for them to write up an official citation and be as
polite as possible, and the crooked cop should go away. If it doesn't work, or
if you'd rather just pay your way out, the going rate for police bribery is
about 50,000 Rp (about $5.50).
Hotel Security
Make sure you look up reviews of the accommodations you plan on staying at
before you book a room, as some "hotels" or "hostels" are
little more than opportunities for theft. Make sure you keep a close eye on all
your bags and don't let them out of your sight as you go from your taxi or car
to your room. Baggage handlers at disreputable hotels in Indonesia will not
think twice about taking your bags through an employee-only area of the building,
opening them up and rifling through your belongings.
On a related note, don't
leave any personal valuables in your room while you're gone. Even if the room
has a safe, insist on using the hotel's safety deposit box.
If a hotel seems shoddy, disheveled or unprofessional in appearance, try to
find another room. Indonesians running legitimate businesses are very proud of
that fact, and will display it openly through professional largesse.
Related Articles
Earth, Water & Fire - Natural Disasters
The (very real) terror threat in Indonesia
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