An Aussie man who went viral claiming to be a self-made millionaire from his Bali property investments has been banned from Indonesia, as authorities say he owns nothing on the island.
But Julian Petroulas, 33, insists he does hold the leasehold rights to 1.1 hectares of land, as well as a popular restaurant in Bali, and that the country’s immigration officials have unfairly barred him.
Mr Petroulas has garnered thousands of followers on social media with posts showing off his luxury lifestyle on the holiday island. He is currently based in Dubai.
‘I’ve owned a lot of villas here in Bali over the last few years,’ he said in one 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 it was honestly a gold mine.’
Later in the video, Mr Petroulas showed off a jungle-covered piece of land, describing it as ‘my biggest land purchase ever – 1.1 hectares, it’s absolutely f***ing nuts’.
He also showed viewers his lavish eatery in Canggu, called Penny Lane, adding that ‘this restaurant, in Bali of all places, actually makes millions of dollars per year’.
But the Indonesian government has soured on Mr Petroulas after becoming aware of the videos and coverage about them in the local press.
Julian Petroulas, 33, has garnered thousands of followers on social media with posts showing off his ritzy life on the holiday island
Mr Petroulas insists he does hold the leasehold rights to 1.1 hectares of land, as well as a restaurant in Bali
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration told Daily Mail Australia this week that it had banned Mr Petroulas from entering the country.
The immigration department said it had disproven his claims that he owned 1.1 hectares of land on the island, as well as a restaurant called Penny Lane in Canggu.
Acting Director General of Immigration, Saffar M. Godam, said Mr Petroulas’ videos had the potential to damage Indonesia’s image as an investment destination.
‘This kind of content can create a negative perception among foreign investors,’ he said.
‘Investors will think twice about investing in Indonesia if a lot of inaccurate information is spread.’
Mr Godam said on that basis, Mr Petroulas had been placed on a blacklist and ‘will no longer be able to enter Indonesia’.
‘We hope this case can be a warning to other foreign nationals to always comply with the regulations in force in Indonesia.’
Mr Petroulas told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday he did own the leasehold rights to 1.1 hectares of land, and the restaurant Penny Lane in another part of the island.
Saffar M. Godam said Mr Petroulas’ videos had the potential to damage Indonesia’s image as an investment destination.
Only Indonesians can buy land in Bali, while foreigners can take out a long-term lease, typically of 20 to 30 years.
Mr Petroulas said the trouble started when he filed a lawsuit in a Balinese court against the French citizen who sold him the 1.1 hectares, alleging breach of contract.
Since then, negative articles had surfaced about him in the local press, which his lawyers believed were part of a ‘retaliatory smear campaign’.
The unfounded claims in the Balinese media had led to an ’emotional response’ from the government, Mr Petroulas said.
The Indonesian government never contacted him to verify his ownership rights before the ban.
‘The escalation to immigration and the subsequent ban are both shocking and disappointing,’ he said.
‘This ban sends a concerning message to foreign investors and entrepreneurs who have followed the law and contributed significantly to Indonesia’s economy.
‘I hope the authorities will carefully review the facts and reconsider their actions in light of the evidence, because everything I have done in Indonesia is 100 per cent legal and by the books.’
Penny Lane confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Mr Pertroulas did indeed own the restaurant.
‘He is not involved in day to day operations as he lives in the UAE but owns a stake in the business as a shareholder, we hope that the government will rectify this quickly.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk