Monkeys Run Smartphone Scam at Bali Temple: Beware of Their Tricks!

Perched on the southernmost edge of Bali, Uluwatu Temple is a stunning cliffside retreat that is also the headquarters for a highly skilled gang of monkey pickpockets.

Hannah Miao from The Wall Street Journal has reported on these small but cunning animals, noting how around 600 long-tailed macaques have formed one of the most bizarrely successful thieving operations globally.

Every week, countless tourists are relieved of their phones, wallets, sunglasses, and any illusions of human superiority by these crafty primates. One might think these are just spontaneous acts, perhaps driven by the allure of a gleaming object.

But that’s far from the case.

Monkey Mobsters Mastermind Mischief at Bali Temple

Research conducted by the University of Lethbridge has shown that these monkeys operate within a theft-and-barter economy. These adept thieves not only steal but also assess the resale value of the items, holding them hostage until they receive a satisfactory trade, often for treats like Oreos from the tour guides.

Miao recounts the experience of tourist Jonathan Hammé, who while enjoying the ocean view, had his sunglasses suddenly swiped by a monkey. The temple guide managed to negotiate their return with some Oreos, though the glasses were a bit worse for wear.

Ketut Ariana, a seasoned monkey handler interviewed by Miao, noted that such monkey shenanigans aren’t new and date back to before the area became a tourist hotspot. Initially, ceremonial jewelry was the target, but now it’s up to 10 smartphones each day. Handlers, or pawang, sometimes have to offer foods like raw eggs, mangosteens, and rambutans to get the stolen items back. If a monkey desires a better “trade rate,” it simply climbs higher or holds onto the item longer, with some stealing just for fun.

Despite various strategies from temple management, including scheduled feeding times, menu alterations, and restrictions on tourists feeding the monkeys, the monkey business thrives. These primates use psychological tactics effectively, understanding that humans value their shiny possessions and exploiting this for their gain.

The University of Lethbridge researchers have acknowledged these monkeys’ “unprecedented economic decision-making processes.”

This situation begs the question: does the ability to commit theft and engage in blackmail suggest a new step in evolutionary development? What’s next for these monkeys—complex financial frauds or perhaps a vitamin supplement pyramid scheme aimed at gullible individuals seeking a boost in virility?

The likelihood of these thefts stopping is slim, so if you’re visiting Uluwatu Temple, you might want to pack some Oreos. Or perhaps consider bringing along pepper spray and a taser, just in case.