To Alice in Bali
Thanks for sharing your painful experience with the forum Alice. What does one do when buying a house? I guess look into finding a well repected Balinese legal firm who specifically handles Balinese property. Then, research, research, research, check it out, check it out, then after you that, check it out more before any $ is given over.
Now I'm a novice at this but the question I would want answering is this: who can I turn to now? Who is the approapriate person to see regarding this matter. Who is accountable? Has there been any law broken? if so, what law -sounds like you need to contact [if you have not already] your contries consulate, the Indonesian consulate, a reputable and successful Balinese lawer.
I don't believe in letting it slide. If it's wrong its' wrong, all culture aside. I believe it's not good enough to hide behind so- called cultural difference at the expense of another person. You losing your house is a legal matter. And if it is deemed not a legal matter and there is no one to be held legally accountable, then I would let it go-put it down to experience, put it down to a mistake, put it down to -bad luck or anything else you can think of. But not before persuing the legal path first.
Morally it appears wrong and you can shake your finger at the [bad-man] but get it checked out first. As a therapist I feel you may feel better if you first give it your best shot at rectifying the legal problem -if not for the money, for the principle.
I can't imagine how much money, grief and suffering you have saved other people from who have read your comments, I know my ears pricked up when I read it - [ a potential house buyer in the future]
Best wishes
Again thanks for sharing with us your pain.