The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Reported cyber-related crimes in Bhutan declined by one-third in the first half of 2026, but deceptive practices—including financial scams—increased sharply, according to Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) statistics.
Between January and June 2026, police recorded 46 cyber-related crime cases, down 33 percent from 69 cases during the same period in 2025. However, deceptive practice cases recorded under Division XI surged nearly 59 percent, rising from 90 cases in the first half of 2025 to 143 cases this year.
Central Thimphu Police Station (CTPS) recorded the highest volume of deceptive practice cases, increasing from 67 cases in 2025 to 101 cases in 2026. Southern Thimphu Police Station (STPS) also saw a sharp rise, jumping from just one case in the first half of 2025 to 31 cases this year. Meanwhile, North Thimphu Police Station (NTPS) recorded 11 cases in 2026, down from 22 cases in 2025.
Rising Financial Impact
The financial toll of these deceptive schemes has escalated dramatically.
At CTPS, the total money involved in deceptive practice cases rose from Nu 4.27 million (mn) in the first half of 2025 to Nu 24.47 mn in 2026. Of the 2026 amount, police managed to recover Nu 6.91 mn, compared to Nu 2.24 mn recovered in 2025.
At STPS, where no financial losses were reported in the first half of 2025, cases in 2026 involved Nu 1.39 mn, of which Nu 639,613 was recovered.
Conversely, NTPS saw total money involved drop from Nu 678,220 in 2025 to Nu 237,000 this year, with recoveries declining from Nu 33,000 to Nu 18,500.
Common Scam Tactics
Data for 2026 reveals that fraudsters are employing a wide variety of tactics:
Australian Dollar (AUD) Exchange Scams: 44 cases (highest overall)
Fraudulent Investment Opportunities: 29 cases
One-Time Password (OTP) Sharing: 18 cases
Compromised Email Accounts: 17 cases
Lottery Prize Scams: 9 cases
A breakdown by police station highlights the financial breakdown of these methods:
CTPS: AUD exchange scams accounted for Nu 19.03 mn in 2026. Investment scams involved Nu 2.66 mn, OTP-sharing scams accounted for Nu 701,978, phone blackout scams involved Nu 669,750, compromised email scams reached Nu 624,338, lottery scams accounted for Nu 568,000, and cryptocurrency-related scams involving USDT totaled Nu 136,574.
NTPS: AUD exchange scams accounted for Nu 120,000, house rent advertisement scams involved Nu 55,000, investment scams accounted for Nu 40,000, and online shopping scams totaled Nu 22,000.
STPS: Investment scams accounted for Nu 495,091, OTP-sharing scams involved Nu 332,510, lottery scams totaled Nu 292,330, and compromised email scams reached Nu 109,000.
Why Victims Fall Prey
Deputy Chief of Police for the Crime and Operations Department, Colonel Passang Dorji, noted that despite ongoing public awareness campaigns, citizens—even those aware of the risks—continue to fall victim. Police attribute this trend to expanding social media use, limited digital literacy, and the increasingly convincing tactics used by fraudsters.
“One common pattern involves scammers promising victims that they can make a certain amount of money within a short period, but first asking them to transfer or invest an initial amount. Victims may then be persuaded to continue putting in more money until the scammers disappear,” Colonel Passang explained.
He questioned why individuals continue to trust strangers on social media who promise quick financial returns, especially when required to send money upfront. He emphasized that the same caution must be applied to online currency exchanges and unverified investment schemes.
Online Harm and Protecting Minors
Colonel Passang stressed that digital risks extend beyond financial loss. “The growth of social media has also contributed to concerns around cyberbullying, harassment, and the circulation of sensitive or indecent content,” he said.
Police raised specific concerns over the online sharing of videos and discussions involving children in sensitive incidents, including a recent case of school violence.
“While children may share or circulate such videos without fully understanding the consequences, adults, including parents and teachers, have a responsibility to advise them against further circulation,” Colonel Passang stated. He warned that repeatedly circulating sensitive incidents involving minors causes further harm rather than resolving underlying issues. “Whether a child is a victim or a suspect, exposing the details of an incident and discussing it extensively online can affect the child’s mental and emotional well-being.”
He urged social media users and influencers to exercise greater responsibility, cautioning against driving online engagement at the expense of community harmony or individual well-being.
“Rather than attempting to resolve such issues through social media, I encourage people to use appropriate channels to raise complaints and concerns, including approaching schools, institutions, parents, or the police, depending on the nature of the issue,” he advised.
Looking Ahead
Police reports indicate that school awareness programs, alongside stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies, telecom providers, and financial institutions, have helped curb general cyber offences.
While the overall decline in cyber-crime reflects positive progress, the sharp rise in deceptive practices demonstrates that digital threats are rapidly evolving. The RBP continues to urge the public to exercise caution, not only to protect their personal finances from scams, but also to consider the broader consequences of what they share and amplify online.
