An Australian man who went viral claiming to be a millionaire thanks to his property investments in Bali has been banned from Indonesia as authorities say he owns nothing on the island.
Julian Petroulas, 33, has gained thousands of followers on social media with posts showing his luxurious life on the holiday island.
“I have owned many villas here in Bali over the last few years,” Petroulas said in a video posted to YouTube earlier this year, titled “how to make MILLIONS of dollars in Bali.”
“I started investing here a few years ago and, honestly, it was a gold mine.”
Later in the video, Petroulas showed off a piece of jungle-covered land and described it as “the biggest land purchase I’ve ever made – 1.1 hectares, it’s fucking crazy.”
He also showed viewers a place he described as “my restaurant, Penny Lane,” adding that “this restaurant, right in Bali, makes millions of dollars a year.”
But Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration told Daily Mail Australia this week it had banned Mr Petroulas from entering the country.
Immigration authorities said they had refuted his claims that he owned 1.1 hectares of land on the island, as well as a restaurant called Penny Lane in Canggu.
Julian Petroulas, 33, has gained thousands of followers on social media with posts showing his luxurious life on the holiday island.
Immigration authorities said they had refuted Mr Petroulas’ claims that he owned 1.1 hectares of land and a restaurant called Penny Lane in Canggu.
His visa did not allow him to own land or property in Indonesia, they said.
On Wednesday, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Bureau’s Immigration Intelligence and Enforcement Team visited Mr Petroulas’ villa to ensure he had no land or business in Bali.
Immigration Acting Director General Saffar M. Godam said Petroulas’ videos had the potential to damage Indonesia’s image as an investment destination.
“This type of content can create a negative perception among foreign investors,” he said.
“Investors will think twice before investing in Indonesia if a lot of inaccurate information is spread.”
Godam said that on that basis, Petroulas had been blacklisted and “will no longer be able to enter Indonesia.”
He had violated immigration laws because he was suspected of not complying with Indonesian regulations, Godam said.
‘We will use our cyber unit to monitor and analyze social networks, to prevent the spread of false information that could harm the country.
Saffar M. Godam said Petroulas’ videos had the potential to damage Indonesia’s image as an investment destination.
‘Let us maintain Indonesia’s good name as a safe, comfortable and law-abiding country.
“We hope that this case can serve as a warning to other foreign citizens to always comply with the regulations in force in Indonesia.”
Only Indonesians can buy land in Bali, while foreigners can take out long-term leases, usually 20 to 30 years.
However, the island remains a magnet for Australians, with some still choosing to buy leasehold properties.
They include a young Australian couple who bought a luxury villa on the idyllic island for just $485,000 last month.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Petroulas for comment.