As reported by the National News Agency Antara and The Jakarta Globe, reports that the Provincial Bali Police, in cooperation with the Badung Police Headquarters, have uncovered an international online prostitution syndicate operated by two Russian nationals.
Bali Chief of Police, Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, told a press conference that the two Russians under arrest, a woman identified as Anastasiia Koveziuk (27), working as the pimp or procurer, and Maxim Tokarev (42), a male who managed the illicit business.
Koveziuk, holds a temporary residence permit (KITAS) valid until June 2025, and Tokarev, whose KITAS extends until November 2025, offered a range of women for prostitution through the website. The website features pictures and profiles of women worldwide, including Russia and Bali. After a booking is made, the final meeting place and time are arranged via WhatsApp app.
Police say Koveziuk and Tokarev have a stable of 15 prostitutes based in Bali.
In all, the website offered prostitutes via a website operating in 129 countries, including transactions done from dozens of cities in Indonesia.
Police could arrest these individuals because of information gleaned from the website. Police officers, posing as online clients, ordered commercial sex services from a Russian woman living in Bali delivered to a room pre-booked at the Canggu Hotel.
On Friday, 10 January 2025, at 3:22 am, Police from the Badung Police Headquarters raided a room at the Koa Hotel in Canggu, arresting a Russian prostitute and her customer during a sexual transaction.
Initially, at around 03.22 WITA, members of the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit raided the Koa Hotel located on Berawa Beach, where they found a Russian prostitute with her customer in one of the hotel’s rooms. Following the raid, police obtained additional leads, which led to two additional perpetrators in a villa located in Banjar Kelod.
Subsequently, police arrested two more Russian citizens, identified as DK as a customer and EK working as a prostitute. At the villa, police also apprehended a pimp who managed and coordinated the prostitution services.
Police Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya outlined the modus operandi of the prostitution ring. Clients enjoy a choice of female companionship from various parts of the world, accessible online in 129 countries. At the same time, in Indonesia, there are 12 locations, one of which is in Bali, at which customers use the website to solicit sex services.
“The operation uses cyberspace so that it can be accessed by all countries, including 12 cities in Indonesia. The website is connected to 129 countries worldwide,” said Daniel.
Bali’s top policeman revealed that the average price charged for the sexual services of a Russian prostitute was US$300-350, with revenues split three ways between the prostitute (50%), pimp (40%), and manager (10%).
Those arrested are being charged under Article 45 Paragraph (1) of Law Number. 1 of 2024 as an amendment to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning information and electronic transactions of the ITE Law. The maximum penalty is six years imprisonment with a maximum fine of Rp. 1 billion.
In addition, two were charged with Article 2 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 21 of 2007 on Crimes of Human Trafficking (TPPO) with a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years.
Badung Sector Police Chief AKBP Teguh Priyo Wasono says the suspects employed 15 prostitutes.
Related Links
OZ Couple Pimping Bali Prostitution Ring?
Russian Envoy Defends Tourists’ Reputation
Bali Deports 3 Russians for Prostitution
Bali Spas Shut for Pimping Underaged Girls
Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali Update
