Multiple complaints against Sandeep Rai Chamling of PandoraBiz

Around four complaints have been filed with Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA) against Sandeep Rai Chamling of PandoraBiz for the Sandeep Rai Chamling (SRC) Mentorship Plan that claimed to teach crypto trading and help earn crypto currency, but complainants say that they instead lost their money and did not get the promised training.

The SRC Mentorship Plan consisted of people paying money to Sandeep upon which they would get to download the PandoraBiz App where there were preloaded videos of Sandeep talking about trading and links to FreeBitco.in a dubious crypto website known for crypto gambling (see separate story here).

Kezang Choden filed a complaint with the CCAA saying that she paid Nu 9,162 in total and was promised she would get USDT (Tether)  10 and also be taught how to do trading, but till date, she has not got any USDT nor has any training and guidance been provided.

She wrote in the complaint that after receiving the payment, the individual’s behavior changed completely as he became rude and uncooperative. 

The paper talked to three more people all on the condition of anonymity who have also filed complaints with CCAA against Sandeep over SRC Mentorship Plan.

The second complainant said he paid Nu 6,262 for access, and he found that the video he had paid for in the App was expired within a month. Then he got another offer to pay another Nu 6,262 and join a lifetime access, but here again, he said he did not get the knowledge and value despite the promises and spending Nu 15,000 in total. He said he wants a refund.

The third complainant said he paid Nu 2,700 in 2024 and again Nu 6,262 around five months ago and there were promises of proper classes, and when he asked for classes he got a scolding instead. He too wants a refund now.

The fourth complainant said she too joined paying Nu 2,777 thinking she would get knowledge on trading, but there was no real service and she wants a refund. She said she had sent questions but there was no real reply.

The above are just official complaints whose numbers may grow as the days go by.

There are many more people coming to social media, especially under the comments section of Kezang’s Tiktok videos exposing and criticizing Sandeep’s SRC Mentorship Plan where people complain of the same saying they lost money under the same modus operandi.

Going by the posts on social media, there could be hundreds if not thousands of people falling victim to this.

Kintu D. Zangmo in the comments section in TikTok says, “Even I also joined Bitcoin but it was useless as he just says to watch the video. I lost Nu 2,700.”

Chungku,  Lhamzom Rai, Lhamo and Thinley, all four said they lost Nu 2,700 each.

Ritu Raj Ghalley says he lost Nu 6,000 last year. Kencho says he lost Nu 1,000 last year.

Tashi Phuntsho mentioned, “I also lost 2,700 by joining SRC Mentorship which is totally bull s**t. This man should be penalized.”

Ganga Ram said, “I have done paying Nu 2,777 for training but it is of no use. I want to inform all Bhutanese who are willing to join his mentorship that it is a total loss.”

Karma who is in Australia says he lost Nu 3,000 to the scam.

Karma Dee says, “I paid for Bitcoin at 2,700 but it was not worth it and he replied arrogantly when me and my friends asked about doubts time and again.”

Jamyang said, “He is making money by scamming people and not by trading.”

Wangchuk says, “I also lost Nu 777 as I paid for the training fee on FreeBitco.in. He is a daylight scammer. Don’t trust this guy.”

Demigod says, “I lost 4,777.” Introvert says, “I lost 2,000.”

Tenzin and Choyang’s mama said she lost Nu 3,900.

TSG says, “After investing Nu 2,777 and Nu 6,262 in his account, it was of no use and my biggest regret.” TSG also did not get the USDT 10 as promised.

Jim Return says, “I paid him Nu 777 and asked for a refund but there is no response and instead he blocks me.”

Druk PPT says, “I once paid Nu 2,700 to him just to ‘learn’ how to play a game on a Bitcoin app, an app that is now banned. There were no earnings no benefits, only empty promises and deception. Recently, he called again, inviting me to another so called ‘program.’”

YY says, “Yes last time they were really influencing people and my husband also paid Nu 2,700 for bitcoin training and they took a one hour online class and the money is gone.”

Mily-Way says, “I saw my brother spend Nu 6,000 and listening to rubbish talk and getting nothing.”

Sonam says, “Initially, I had intended to seek his assistance in 2024 and reached out to him via direct message. However, he is requesting fees in the range of Nu 6,000 and 7,000 for merely providing information.”

Tandey said he has been doing trading for 2 years now and he never trusts anyone to teach him. “I learn by myself. So don’t depend on others to learn. Learn it from YouTube and Google. This is my advice to all Bhutanese. Please be cautious.”

Jurmeiy said Sandeep convinced him as if he going to be a billionaire at first but after depositing the amount, the service he rendered was absolutely the opposite. “Out of 100 tricks just 1 trick works. I think he needs to be sued by all the clients who has lost their money in the scam.”

Photo from Sandeep Rai Chamling Official Facebook page

An online commentator said it is very hard to get money from trading and maybe one in thousand earn from trading. He said most of the experienced traders earn from selling their program or membership as they know it’s very hard to earn from trading. “Just think. If they are earning more in trading, why would they share their secret to others.”

Adding to this Ugyen said, “The whole business ideas is this, they sell you a course in the hopes of making money. Crypto trading is not as easy as just putting money. You need to research it and be ready to win or lose money. If this is happening, it’s extortion, report it to the relevant office.

There are also revelations on how Sandeep’s staff contacts people through mass and repetitive messages on Facebook and  TikTok. The message usually from an account with some variation of the name Sandeep Rai Chamling ask’s “Hello, how’s your trading going la?”

If you reply in any way.

It starts promoting the Bitcoin company saying it is one of the best companies to invest with little capital  and get profit in the trading account with a short period. There are promises of profits, etc.

There are slight variations in the reply. In another it says, “I offer a fully transparent and profitable trading system and you don’t have to send any money as withdrawals as well as deposit is controlled by you….I am entitled to get 10% of your total profit as commission.”

The CCAA has said it will investigate the official complaints asking for refund filed to it and based on the outcome, give directions.

RBP complaint

Meanwhile, Kezang Choden has also filed a complaint with Royal Bhutan Police (RBP)  against Sandeep saying that she, along with numerous innocent Bhutanese citizens, have fallen victim to fraudulent activities carried out by Chamling.

She wrote to the police saying that he misled them into joining a so-called Bitcoin investment group with the promise of teaching them to earn income through cryptocurrency, provide training and return USD 10 as a gesture of goodwill, but despite multiple follow-ups, he failed to deliver any training or refund the promised amount. Instead, he has responded to inquiries with rude and offensive language.

Kezang said she found that Chamling does not possess any valid license to operate a Bitcoin or cryptocurrency-related business in Bhutan which clearly indicates he is operating outside legal boundaries and misleading the public.

She told the RBP that it is widely alleged that Chamling has scammed over a thousand Bhutanese individuals, collecting large sums of money in the name of cryptocurrency investment. She said she has already submitted a complaint to the CCAA regarding this.

Kezang said he may be planning to flee the country, possibly to India or another destination to evade accountability.

She asked the RBP to investigate this matter thoroughly and initiate legal proceedings against Sandeep Rai Chamling for fraud, defamation, and operating an unlicensed business.

She also requested for a nationwide alert to restrict his movement across borders until the investigation concludes.

Kezang asked the RBP to verify the legitimacy of his business registration and audit all financial transactions related to PandoraBiz.com and his cryptocurrency dealings.

Kezang said she is prepared to provide all documentary evidence, including screenshots, bank transaction details, and video recordings to support this case.

She said RBP’s immediate attention and intervention will help protect countless Bhutanese citizens from financial loss and ensure that individuals misusing technology for fraudulent purposes are held accountable.

The Bhutanese gave Sandeep an opportunity to respond or explain but he declined.