Why Do Expats Fall for Scams in Indonesia So Easily?

Bali has more than its fair share of scam artists. The reason for this is easy enough to work out, it also has more than its fair share of idiot tourists.

Ryan, I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying you are always looking for a job in hospitality and other fields but find it hard to get a job?

The bit about tourists getting scammed is always brought up on the TA website. I think many tourists are just plain gullible and too trusting. The people that stand on the street corners promoting the Karma Timeshare scams look honest and trustworthy, so anyone who is not cautious might fall for it. Also in the west, it's considered a bit rude to walk away when someone is talking to you, so that's another reason why people stay and listen.

Another scam are dishonest money changers who magically make bank notes disappear when exchanging money. I experienced it more than 20 years ago in Legian.

You don't ned to offer your services to prevent scams. In my opinion the Balinese government/tourist police should be the ones taking action. There could be leaflets in hotel receptions listing the most common scams and what to do if you feel you have been cheated. For example, if you are being cheated at a money changer then call the police. For the Karma Time share promoters who tell you you've won a prize, just walk away instead of listening to them.

It's also not just foreigners that are being scammed, a couple years ago in Bandung a place set up selling new cars at ridiculously cheap prices. Not sure if people were paying the full prices or just deposits, but a lot of money was paid to the scammers and then the place suddenly shut down. So scamming is targeted at the not so cautious whether tourists or locals.