Bali visitors have shared a warning for Aussies to be careful when headed to the holiday island amid a rise in pickpocket crime.
Samantha, who regularly shares travel information about Bali online, shared a video earlier this month warning about the disturbing trend.
She claimed locals had noticed a rise in phone snatching and jewellery grabbing, particularly necklaces.
The latter can cause serious injuries as it sees pickpockets grab and rip a person’s necklace from their neck.
‘The one thing that’s really causing a lot of problems at the moment on the island is phone snatching and jewellery snatching,’ Samantha said.
‘It’s really, really bad at the moment, not gonna lie. I’ve had so many of my local friends warn me.’
Samantha recommended keeping jewellery hidden while walking on the street and keeping phones in handbags.
She added carrying valuable items on the arm furtherest from the roadside would help prevent passersby on scooters snatching them.
Aussies headed to Bali were warned about a rise in phone and jewellery snatching cases
Samantha (above) highlighted the danger of necklace snatching, as it could severely injure a victim’s neck
Angus Kidman, a travel expert at Finder, told Yahoo Lifestyle the warning was a ‘sobering reminder’ to be on 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.
‘Take a printout and keep it with your passport, and leave details with friends and family as well.
‘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.’
Smartraveller advised visitors to ‘keep bags and valuables out of sight’.
‘If you’re walking, use footpaths, stay away from the curb and carry your bag away from the road,’ it said.
