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Posted: 2016-04-06 09:07:05
Shaun Edward Davidson, 31, waiting to be transferred to Kerobokan jail in Bali after being charged with possessing ...

Shaun Edward Davidson, 31, waiting to be transferred to Kerobokan jail in Bali after being charged with possessing another person's identity and overstaying his visa. Photo: Amilia Rosa

Jakarta:  An Australian man facing drug charges in Perth has been arrested in Bali for allegedly impersonating another Australian and using multiple fake identities.

Shaun Edward Davidson, 31, was due in Perth Magistrates Court on January 28, charged with four offences including possessing methamphetamine and cannabis to sell or supply.

Shaun Edward Davidson, in Bali.

Shaun Edward Davidson, in Bali. Photo: Amilia Rosa

He failed to show up to court in Perth but on Tuesday he emerged in Bali where he was named a suspect for possessing another person's identity and overstaying his visa.

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A man Mr Davidson allegedly impersonated, Michael John Bayman, 33, had reported that his passport had gone missing in 2013, according to Bali immigration authorities.

"It seems (Mr Davidson) is evading the law back in his country Australia, that's why he was trying to disappear here," said Mohamad Soleh, an immigration officer from Bali's Ngurah Rai International airport.

Shaun Edward Davidson, 31, who faces drug charges in Perth.

Shaun Edward Davidson, 31, who faces drug charges in Perth. Photo: Amilia Rosa

Two false identities were discovered when Mr Davidson was arrested, a passport under the name of Michael John Bayman and a KITAS (residency permit) under the name of Eddie Lonsdale. It is believed he may have used up to five identities.

According to immigration, Mr Davidson had entered Indonesia on a 30-day tourist visa that expired on February 26 last year.

"A report was made of a foreigner who was suspected of overstaying in Kuta," Mr Soleh said. "We found that he not only overstayed but used different identities."

Mr Davidson was detained on March 7 while authorities investigated further. "It took quite some time for us to prepare proof of his offence," Mr Soleh said.

Immigration authorities interviewed staff at Rabasta hotel in Kuta where Mr Davidson had been staying under the name Michael John Bayman.

Mr Soleh said they also obtained confirmation from the Australian government and AFP about his real identity.

"Now that we have both, it is enough to proceed to name him as a suspect and to legally process him," Mr Soleh said. "Yesterday (April 5) he was officially named as a suspect for breaching immigration (laws), with a total maximum prison time of seven years."

Mr Davidson was transferred to Bali's Kerobokan jail on Wednesday, April 6.  

The manager on duty at Rabasta Hotel said a man who went under the name Michael John Bayman had stayed at the hotel for a month and then extended for another month.

However on the tenth day of the second month an immigration officer came and inspected his passport. "They were suspicious as the latest stamp to enter Indonesia on the passport was back in 2012," said the manager.

An arrest warrant had been issued for Mr Davidson when he failed to show up at Perth Magistrates Court on January 28.

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