Cross-Border Scam Alert: Authorities Warn of Sophisticated India-Origin Lottery Fraud Targeting Bhutanese Citizens

Authorities in Bhutan have issued a serious public warning regarding a sharp rise in sophisticated cross-border lottery scams originating from India that are actively preying on unsuspecting Bhutanese citizens. The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) and the Department of Law and Order are urging the public to exercise extreme caution, noting that these fraudulent schemes are becoming increasingly complex and have already resulted in substantial financial losses.

Recent data from the RBP indicates a worrying surge in scam cases across the country, with lottery scams identified as a key method of fraud. Scammers, often operating from across the border in India, contact victims through phone calls, social media, and digital messaging services, falsely claiming the recipient has won a massive lottery or prize. The victims are then manipulated into transferring significant sums of money under the guise of paying "processing fees," "taxes," or "release charges" to claim the non-existent winnings.

The fraudsters employ highly deceptive tactics, including impersonating officials from reputable companies, banks, or even lottery agencies. They often use foreign or unfamiliar phone numbers to lend credibility to their fabricated claims. The RBP has reported multiple cases where citizens have lost their hard earned savings, with lottery scams alone accounting for a loss of millions of Ngultrum.

Authorities are advising all citizens never to share sensitive personal information, particularly One Time Passwords (OTPs), bank details, or copies of identity documents, with unknown parties. Legitimate institutions and companies will never demand a payment upfront to release a prize or solicit OTPs over the phone. The public is strongly encouraged to verify the legitimacy of any alleged lottery win or financial offer directly with the source company or government authority before engaging. The RBP is ramping up investigative efforts and awareness campaigns to combat the transnational criminal networks responsible and has asked victims to report any suspicious activity immediately. Cooperation between Bhutanese and Indian law enforcement is a crucial component in tackling these organized cross border crimes.

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