Bhutan steps up fight against digital scams targeting vulnerable groups

Amid a steady rise in scam calls and digital fraud across Bhutan, authorities are intensifying efforts to protect those most at risk, elderly citizens, rural residents, and young jobseekers who often have limited digital literacy.

The Department of Law and Order (DLO), working closely with the Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Monetary Authority (RMA), Financial Institutions, and telecom operators, has launched a multi-pronged strategy to curb these scams. This includes nationwide awareness campaigns through television, radio, print media, and social media to educate the public on how to recognize and avoid digital and financial fraud.

Recognizing that scammers often exploit loopholes in mobile services, the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) has tightened SIM card regulations. Telecom operators must now strictly follow the Code of Practice on SIM registration, ensuring that mobile numbers are issued only after thorough verification. Numbers found to be linked to scams are required to be blocked or deactivated.

One challenge authorities face, however, is removing registrations from messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. Even if a mobile number is deactivated from regular service, its registration may remain active within these apps thus making it harder to fully cut off fraudulent accounts.

To address another vulnerability, BICMA has directed telecom operators to avoid reassigning deactivated numbers to new users, a practice that can inadvertently expose them to previous scam-linked activities. To meet growing demand for new numbers without recycling old ones, BICMA will be releasing a fresh “78” mobile number series to TashiCell and is exploring additional series, such as “19” or “16” for Bhutan Telecom.

Beyond prevention, Bhutan has also set up channels for swift action when scams occur. The DLO operates a central reporting platform for victims and the public to file complaints related to digital fraud. This allows real-time coordination among police, banks, telecom providers, and the RMA to trace, block, and investigate fraudulent activity.

While these steps mark significant progress, officials acknowledge that tackling digital fraud remains a complex and evolving challenge, especially as scammers adapt to new technologies. The multi-agency approach reflects a growing determination to shield its most vulnerable citizens from financial harm in the digital age.