Kiwi woman reported missing in Bali Kaya Awhitu located after mother reveals her phone was hacked

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NZ Herald

9 Oct, 2024 03:30 AM2 mins to read

One of New Zealand’s biggest drug busts uncovered, the new policy threatening 20 years behind bars for Kiwis in Bali and Florida braces for another ferocious storm.

The mother of a 21-year-old New Zealand woman feared missing in Bali has issued an update on her daughter. It comes just hours after a public plea revealing the “unusual” sign that had them concerned for her safety.

Kaya Awhitu, originally from Pāpāmoa, travelled to Bali on Thursday but had not been heard from since Sunday, which her family described as “out of the ordinary”.

“This is not like her. We are so worried,” her family wrote on social media in a plea for information earlier today.

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In a video posted on Facebook, Awhitu’s mother said she had not made contact with anyone since Sunday.

“We know there’s activity on her Messenger but feel that isn’t her. She may be just having some downtime but this is still unusual.

“We are concerned as this is out of the ordinary for her,” the family member said.

In an update shortly after 5pm, she said Awhitu had reached out to the family.

“It was a tourist over in Bali who had seen the post and seen her and let her use their phone to ring us.

“She got an eSIM card and she’s been hacked. Her whole phone has been taken over and she can’t log in.”

Her mother said she had no items on her and her Eftpos cards had also been hacked.

“We’re getting her home asap.”

Kaya Awhitu's family earlier said she had not been heard from since Sunday.

The family became worried after she failed to meet up with her partner.

“They were supposed to meet up by a barge or something to go to the next place and ... she didn’t turn up.

“He has gone back to the villa where they were staying and everything’s all packed up.”

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed to the Herald they were aware of reports of a missing woman in Bali.

“The New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta is providing assistance to whānau of a New Zealander reported missing in Bali. For privacy reasons no further information will be provided,” the spokesperson said.