Australian Couple Charged in Bali for Operating Illegal Spa Linked to Prostitution
DENPASAR – An Australian couple, identified as Michael Jerome Le Grand (MJLG), 50, and Lynley Jane Le Grand (LJLG), 44, has been formally charged in Bali for allegedly running a prostitution ring under the guise of a spa business. Their operation, known as Pink Palace Spa, was located in Kerobokan, Badung, and advertised itself as a health and wellness center.
Bali police, led by AKBP I Ketut Suarnaya of the Criminal Investigation Directorate, revealed during a press conference that the couple earned significant revenue from the illegal spa. The monthly income from the Pink Palace Spa reportedly ranged from Rp 1 billion to Rp 3 billion (approximately USD 63,000 to 190,000).
Aside from the Australian couple, four other individuals have been named as suspects in the case. These individuals, identified by their initials as WS, NMWS, WW, and IGNJ, worked in various roles at the spa, including as director, general manager, and receptionists.
“WS acted as the director, NMWS as the general manager, and WW and IGNJ worked as receptionists,” Suarnaya stated during the press briefing on Friday, October 11, 2024.
The Pink Palace Spa charged customers between Rp 1 million and Rp 2.5 million per session, with services allegedly involving illicit sexual activities. According to Suarnaya, spa employees would first present a selection of scantily clad therapists to clients before offering massage services. Police discovered that around 30 therapists were employed at the establishment, one of whom was confirmed to be underage.
“We found a 17-year-old girl working as a therapist at the spa. So far, she is the only minor identified in the operation,” Suarnaya said.
The couple had been under police scrutiny since 2022, when they were questioned for operating a suspected illegal horse betting business in Bali. Their arrest on October 7, 2024, took place at The Corner House, a restaurant they own in Seminyak. During a subsequent raid of the Pink Palace Spa, police confiscated evidence, including lingerie, condoms, and massage oils, believed to be used in illegal services. Two operational vehicles linked to the spa were also seized.
The Le Grands are also linked to other businesses in Bali, including The Goat Seminyak, The Goat Legian, and Happy Coq. Authorities suspect these establishments may have been fronts for similar illegal activities.
The couple, who have lived in Bali for several years, reportedly held Indonesian identity cards (KTPs), which are typically reserved for Indonesian citizens, raising concerns about their legal residency status.
Bali police estimate the spa generated an annual income of between Rp 14 billion and Rp 36 billion (USD 950,000 to 2.5 million). The spa’s clientele reportedly included people of various sexual orientations, with services catering to heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual preferences.
The Le Grands, along with their co-accused, face multiple charges under Indonesian law, including violations of child protection regulations. They have been charged under Articles 76 I and 88 of the Child Protection Law (No. 35 of 2014), which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
The case has attracted significant attention both locally and internationally. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has reported extensively on the case, noting that Lynley Le Grand is a survivor of the 2002 Bali bombing. The investigation into the couple’s businesses is ongoing as they await trial.
