𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐮 𝟐𝟏 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑵𝒖 9.5 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Online scams have surged to alarming levels across the nation, with authorities reporting defrauding over Nu 21 million over the past two years. Between 2023 and 2024, the Central Police Station in Thimphu registered 156 cases of online fraud, affecting individuals nationwide.

Both urban and rural communities have been targeted, with Dzongkhags such as Thimphu, Mongar, and Gelephu witnessing a notable increase in fraudulent activities, particularly in 2024. The rise in scams highlights the urgent need for heightened vigilance and public awareness.

Colonel Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of Police, issued a stern caution to the public in response to the growing number of online scams. He emphasized that fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive victims. These scams often involve impersonating government agencies, telecom companies, and other trusted institutions.

Fraudsters typically use official logos and numbers, or even legitimate-sounding names, to create a false sense of trust. “We must remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited offers, especially those promising easy financial rewards,” said Colonel Dorji. “No legitimate organization operates by making such unrealistic promises.” The scams operate in various ways, with fraudsters employing different strategies to manipulate their targets. One common tactic is the impersonation of trusted organizations such as Bhutan Telecom or government agencies. Victims may receive unsolicited calls, messages, or emails that appear to come from these institutions. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency by claiming that the recipient has won a prize or needs to make an immediate payment for an investment opportunity. In many cases, victims are tricked into transferring money, providing sensitive personal information, or both.

Singay Wangdi, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Central Police Station, has reported a worrying increase in scam-related cases across the country. Between 2023 and 2024, the Central Police Station recorded 156 cases, involving 304 bank accounts, which were not reflected in the headquarter’s data. Despite the deceptive nature of these scams, the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) successfully recovered and returned Nu 9.5 million to victims. However, the total losses from these scams amounted to an alarming Nu 21,454,048. According to the OC, these scams typically follow a circular pattern, with funds ultimately ending up in the hands of fraudsters. The cases have taken various forms, including dollar exchange frauds, fake gift deliveries, false investment opportunities, lottery schemes, fraudulent house rent advertisements, deceptive online shopping platforms, and offers of rewards for supposed good business performance.
Cryptocurrency trading scams have also emerged as a prevalent trend. Most of these fraudulent activities are conducted through fake phone calls and social media platforms, where scammers obtain personal details from unsuspecting victims. Wangdi explained that scammers meticulously plan their operations, taking calculated steps to link information and manipulate their targets. He noted that some victims are easily deceived by fake messages promising substantial lottery wins, making them vulnerable to such ploys. “Scammers are using every trick in the book, even going as far as misusing the logos of telecom companies to appear legitimate and earn the trust of their victims,” he said.

The OC urged the public to exercise extreme caution in sharing personal details, even with individuals who appear trustworthy. He emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of requests before divulging sensitive information. “Do not trust too much on social media or fall prey to online shopping scams. Instead, remain vigilant and educate yourself and others about the risks,” he advised. He further highlighted the importance of spreading awareness among vulnerable groups, particularly those who may not be well-informed about such fraudulent schemes. “We need to protect our innocent and uneducated people from becoming victims of these scams,” he added.

Authorities are working to combat these crimes, but they stress the significance of public cooperation in preventing such incidents. By staying informed, questioning unsolicited requests, and reporting suspicious activities, individuals can help safeguard themselves and their communities from the growing menace of scams.

One such scam involved Kezang Choden from Haa, who fell victim to an online fraud scheme in December 2024. Choden was manipulated into transferring Nu 63,647 after being promised lucrative returns on an investment opportunity via Facebook. Despite initial doubts, she was persuaded by enticing promises of high returns. It was only when the scammer demanded additional payments that Choden realized that she had been deceived. she said. “I urge everyone to conduct thorough checks before making any payments online.”

Another case involved Phub Wangchuk, who was scammed out of Nu 17,000 by a fake house rental advertisement on Facebook. Wangchuk was looking for a place to stay in Phuentsholing and came across an offer that seemed genuine. The advertisement promised a 2BHK (Bedroom, Hall, and Kitchen)  house for rent, and Wangchuk was convinced to pay a security deposit. However, after transferring the money, the contact person became unresponsive, and Wangchuk discovered the listing was fraudulent. “I acted quickly to report the incident, hoping to prevent others from falling into the same trap,” said Wangchuk.

The scams are not limited to fake investment opportunities and fraudulent house rentals. One particularly alarming case involved Chorten Zangmo from Thimphu, who was scammed out of Nu 45,000 in a lottery scam. Chorten received a WhatsApp calls from a fraudster claiming that she had won a substantial lottery prize. The scammer impersonated a telecom company representative and convinced Chorten to share her One-Time Password (OTP), bank account details, and Citizen Identity Card number. The scammer claimed that the prize would be deposited directly into her bank account, but after sharing the OTP, Chorten received a bank notification confirming a withdrawal of Nu 45,000 from her account.

“I was overjoyed when they said I had won the lottery. They sounded so convincing and even used official-looking logos to build trust,” she recalled. “It wasn’t until the withdrawal alert from my bank that I realized what had happened,” she added.

Damcho Dema, a victim of a fake lottery scheme, recounted her ordeal to caution others. On September 22, 2024, she received a WhatsApp call displaying a telecom logo, informing her that she had won a lottery worth Nu 4,00,000. The caller requested her bank details, and without suspecting any foul play, she provided her account information, including the One-Time Password (OTP). Within minutes, she received two debit alerts: the first for Nu 2,00,000 and another for the same amount, resulting in a total loss of Nu 4,00,000. Shocked by the incident, Damcho reported the scam to the police, who discovered that the scammers had circulated the stolen money through multiple bank accounts to avoid detection.

Through the efforts of the police, Damcho was able to recover Nu 1,55,000. She expressed her gratitude for their assistance but emphasized the importance of vigilance. “We must stay alert and avoid falling prey to such scams,” she urged.

Authorities have also raised concerns over the rising number of cryptocurrency scams. These frauds typically involve promises of quick returns from cryptocurrency investments. Victims are often urged to send money to unknown accounts, only to discover that the investment opportunity was a sham. The increasing prevalence of such scams has prompted the RBP to step up their efforts in raising public awareness and educating citizens on how to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent activities.

Bhutan Telecom Limited (BT) has issued multiple advisories to the public, warning them to remain cautious of scam calls and messages that appear to come from official telecom numbers. BT has specifically mentioned numbers such as +92 329 6917741 as being linked to fraudulent activities. BT has urged people to verify any unfamiliar numbers and avoid sharing sensitive personal information.

The company also reminded the public that official communications will only be shared through verified platforms like their official website and social media channels. “We urge people to remain cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages, especially if they are asked to share personal information or make payments,” said BT spokesperson.
Bishnu Maya Ghimirey, a resident of Thimphu and an employee in a private firm, recently shared her experience with a surge in scam attempts through WhatsApp.

She recounted receiving a suspicious call displaying a telecom company logo, during which the caller requested her personal information. However, due to her awareness of scam alerts frequently shared on social media platforms like Facebook, she refrained from sharing any details. Bishnu stressed that money is never given away easily without effort or legitimate cause, stating, “I believe that wealth can only be earned through hard work and dedication.”

Her cautious approach reflects the growing public vigilance against fraudulent schemes targeting unsuspecting individuals. 

While the Royal Bhutan Police and financial institutions are actively working to combat these crimes, Colonel Dorji emphasized the importance of public cooperation in preventing fraud. He said, “If the police and the public work together, we can combat these crimes more effectively. We must all be vigilant and share information to help protect our community from these dangerous fraudsters.”

The Department of Crime and Operations is also intensifying efforts to educate the public, particularly vulnerable groups, about the risks of online scams and how to protect themselves. The authorities have recognized that these crimes are not limited to specific regions but are affecting citizens throughout the country, highlighting the importance of comprehensive, nationwide strategies to combat fraud.

The surge in scam cases across the country underlines the need for continued vigilance. Authorities are urging citizens to always verify the authenticity of unsolicited offers, especially those that seem too good to be true, and to report any suspicious activities promptly. With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is more important than ever for individuals to stay informed and cautious, particularly when dealing with online transactions or unfamiliar contacts.

The growing trend of cyber fraud calls for collective action to safeguard personal and financial security. As these scams continue to evolve, the Royal Bhutan Police, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is committed to strengthening its efforts to combat online fraud and ensure the safety of the public.