Bali Governor Faces Surge in Hoaxes, Urges Vigilance Against Sophisticated Scams

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has become a frequent target of hoaxes circulating on social media, prompting the provincial government to issue warnings and urge public vigilance. Several false narratives have recently emerged, aimed at misleading the public and potentially exploiting their trust. One prominent hoax involves a video circulating on platforms like TikTok, claiming Governor Koster visited the residence of Kiai Samsuddin to witness a mystical ritual. The accompanying audio asserts that the governor and a large crowd gathered to verify a "mystical fund ritual" purportedly helping individuals with financial difficulties. This narrative is entirely fabricated. Another deceptive claim, posted on Facebook in June 2026, alleged that Governor Koster was distributing hundreds of millions of rupiah in aid through messaging applications. The post included a poster bearing the governor's name, outlining a program for the welfare of Bali's residents, cultural preservation, and economic development. Provincial authorities have debunked this as a scam and are advising citizens to be wary of such solicitations. Furthermore, AI-generated fake videos have surfaced, falsely attributing announcements of prize draws from BPD Bali to Putri Suastini Koster, the wife of the governor and head of the Bali Provincial PKK Team. The Bali Provincial Government has officially declared these videos as hoaxes and strongly advises the public not to believe information encountered on social media without verification. Liputan6.com's "Cek Fakta" (Fact Check) initiative, established in 2018 and part of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), is actively working to combat misinformation and enhance media literacy across Indonesia. They encourage the public to report suspicious information for verification.