On Friday, Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya stated that the alleged extortion was uncovered through a criminal investigation and confessions from four suspects: Ernest Esmail (24), Yopita Barinda Putri (24), and Russian nationals Iurii Vithcenko (30) and Ilia Shkutov (32).
“Based on the confessions and Scientific Crime Investigation analysis, we have identified 27 crime scenes that are still under investigation,” Adityajaya said.
According to him, most of the extortion victims were foreign nationals and have returned to their hometowns. The extortion took place from January to July 2025.
The extortion incidents occurred between January and July 2025, primarily in Denpasar, Badung, and Gianyar. The number of victims is expected to increase as the investigation continues.
The four suspects had divided roles. The two Russian nationals were responsible for locating potential victims, while the two immigration officers threatened these individuals with arrest or deportation unless they complied with the group’s demands.
“They kidnapped and assaulted the victims and threatened to take them to the immigration office or have them deported,” Adityajaya said.
Senior Commissioner I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman, Director of the General Criminal Investigation Division of the Bali Police, explained that the Russian nationals first made contact with the two immigration officers and began collaborating to identify foreign nationals who could be targeted.
The group would then carry out the extortion scheme, Mulyawarman added, noting that investigators have gathered evidence and victim data by tracing the suspects’ mobile phones.
The suspects were arrested following a report involving a Lithuanian national, Roman Smeliov (42), who was assaulted, blackmailed, and threatened with death by the group.
Translator: Rolandus Nampu, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
