Bali has a well-earned reputation as a paradise for digital nomads, remote workers, and crypto traders who want sun, cheap coffee, and fast internet. On the evening of July 2, 2026, a 41-year-old Russian national identified as Artem I. was abducted near his restaurant in the Uluwatu area of Badung, held for roughly 30 hours, physically assaulted, and coerced into surrendering access to his cryptocurrency accounts. Estimated losses range from $4.9M to $5M.

Bali Police have opened a formal investigation with multiple crime scenes under examination.

How the abduction unfolded

Artem was leaving Hedonist, his restaurant in Uluwatu, at approximately 9:35 p.m. local time when two masked assailants used a black Nissan…