BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Allegations of property investment fraud have surfaced once again after 30 Australian nationals formally reported the Marina Bay City villa and residential development project in Sekotong Tengah, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), to Bali Police.

The investors claim that millions of Australian dollars invested in the project failed to result in the promised construction and development of the retirement and beachfront housing complex.

The report was officially registered under Police Report Number LP/B/590/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA BALI dated April 7, 2026. The case is currently under investigation by the Cyber Crime Directorate of Bali Police.

According to the investors, the total losses amount to approximately AUD 7.37 million, equivalent to around Rp86.5 billion.

Represented by Solvere Law Office, the victims argue that the project, marketed as an exclusive retirement community and villa complex on Lombok’s coastline, has delivered little more than promises, with no clear realization of the development.

“We represent around 30 investors. However, beyond our clients, we believe there are other victims who have also suffered losses. The total amount involved is likely far greater than what is currently recorded in the police report,” said Raymont Travis, Managing Partner of Solvere Law Office, after accompanying witnesses during questioning at Bali Police Headquarters on Tuesday (June 2, 2026).

According to Travis, investors were recruited through social media platforms, websites, and online seminars promoting the concept of a luxury retirement destination in Lombok. The project was advertised as a 150-hectare integrated development featuring villas and supporting facilities tailored to foreign retirees seeking to spend their retirement years in Indonesia.

Each villa unit was reportedly offered at prices ranging between Rp4 billion and Rp5 billion. However, investors claim that after making payments, they saw little to no significant physical progress at the project site.

“The entire investor recruitment process was conducted online. Our clients first learned about the project through social media, attended online seminars, and eventually decided to invest,” he said.

Five parties have been reported in connection with the case: PT Bali Real Estate Investment, PT Marina Bay Investment, Jamie McIntyre, Adrian James Campbell, and Christina Natalia.

In addition to concerns regarding the lack of construction, investors have also questioned the legal status of the land being marketed. Based on investigations conducted by the legal team, the project site is allegedly located within an area designated as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B), a classification that may impose restrictions on certain types of development.

“We were never informed that the land allegedly carried a status that could limit villa development. Had investors known this from the beginning, they would certainly have reconsidered investing their money,” Travis stated.

The legal team has also submitted additional evidence to investigators concerning the alleged flow of investment funds to bank accounts in several countries. Furthermore, another project known as Nesara Bay City has reportedly emerged in the same area as Marina Bay City and is allegedly still being marketed to prospective investors.

One of the alleged victims, Amanda Lee Walsh, said she invested approximately Rp1.9 billion in the project, using savings intended for her future retirement.

“He sold a dream to us. He sold us the dream of retiring in Lombok. He sold retirement land to us in Australia and then took our money,” Walsh said.

She explained that her trust in the project grew after years of following promotional content and public presentations by individuals now named in the report.

“I followed his social media for years. He spoke a lot and inspired people, so I trusted him,” she said.

Walsh described feeling devastated after realizing the promised development had not materialized.

“I’m sad because I invested all my money into this project, and now I’ve lost it. I just hope I can get my money back,” she added.

Although she had been familiar with the promoter through online communities and social media for approximately five years, Walsh said she had never met him in person.

Because many of the alleged victims reside in Australia and other countries, investigators face logistical challenges in collecting witness testimony. Bali Police are reportedly exploring mechanisms for conducting remote interviews with overseas investors.

The victims’ legal representatives have urged investigators to conduct an on-site inspection of the project location in Lombok and coordinate with relevant authorities to verify the land status and actual development progress.

“Based on the information we have received, the project is still being promoted today. Therefore, we hope the investigation can move forward quickly to prevent additional victims,” Travis said.

As of publication, the case remains at the investigation stage. No suspects have been named, and no court ruling has been issued. All parties named in the report retain the right to provide clarification and present their defense in accordance with applicable legal procedures.