Russian Nationals Detained Over Fake License Plates

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As a result of driving cars with fake license plates, foreign visitors, mostly of Russian and Ukrainian nationalities, are again in the headlines in Bali. The Traffic Directorate of the Bali Regional Police and the District Police initiated the investigations. The number of expatriates affixing fake license plates to their mopeds and motorcycles throughout Bali has increased alarmingly. The fake license plates aren’t officially filed with the transportation authority.

Sr. Comr. Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto, the head of the Bali Police’s public relations department, said his team is keeping an eye out for drivers of both two- and four-wheeled vehicles who have installed fake license plates, particularly those who use Russian plates.

On Sunday, 5th of March 2023, Satake stated, “They use car license plates that do not comply with the rules.

He claimed that this action was done in response to numerous complaints made by members of the public and field officers who frequently saw large numbers of immigrants driving around in cars with license plates that had been altered to their liking without police identification.

fake license plates detained
Source Freepik

“Up to this point, four-wheeled and two-wheeled cars with Russian license plate numbers are still being sought after, and we make sure they will become the focus of investigations,” said Satake.

Around 10:00 central Indonesian time (WITA) on Sunday, the Klungkung Police Traffic Section detained four two-wheelers with fake license plates in Nusa Lembongan, operated by several tourists and locals.

The drivers broke several stringent traffic laws, including driving with fake license plates, not wearing an SNI helmet, driving without a license, being unidentified (passport-less), and failing to show possession of the car.

“Australian and French nationals were among the foreigners detained on Nusa Lembongan. The Russians have not yet been located, according to Satake.

The Bali Police will step up surveillance, particularly in tourist areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Tanah Lot, Ubud, and other tourist areas in Gianyar and Denpasar as a result of numerous public complaints.

Satake said, “We, the Bali Regional Police, hope that whoever owns the vehicle with the Russian fake license plate number has the awareness to replace it right away with the original plate, and people who know the whereabouts of the vehicles, please report to the nearest police and we will take action against the drivers.”

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