Thimphu Police Uncover Multi-Million Ngultrum Currency Scam Involving Hacked Bank Accounts
Shocking Discovery in Thimphu
The Thimphu Police have reported the discovery of a significant currency scam involving hacked bank accounts, resulting in financial losses exceeding nine million ngultrum for unsuspecting Bhutanese victims.
Details of the Scam
Frozen Bank Account
The authorities have taken swift action, freezing a bank account belonging to a Bhutanese resident in Bangkok following a court order.
Victims of the Scam
Victim 1: A Bhutanese man living in Australia
- Intended to exchange Bhutanese currency for Australian dollars
- Contacted by an individual posing as a Bhutanese national resident in Australia with Australian dollars
- Transferred Nu 116,000 but no dollars arrived in return
- Case was reported to the police last month
Victim 2: A Bhutanese student studying in Bangkok
- Intended to exchange Bhutanese currency for US dollars
- Contacted by an individual posing as another Bhutanese student with US dollars
- Transferred Nu 72,000 but did not receive US dollars
- Case was reported to the police in February this year
How the Scam Worked
The police revealed that the scammers allegedly hacked into the social media accounts of the two victims and phished for their bank account details. Using these accounts, the scammers contacted potential victims offering foreign currency exchange.
Large Deposits and Disappearing Funds
Both victims reported exchanging messages with individuals claiming to have deposited large amounts into their accounts, but the funds disappeared only minutes later. However, both denied knowledge of the transactions and stated that they had unwittingly received phishing messages.
Suspect under Investigation
A Bahra Tsewang Bank of Bhutan (BOB) account holder residing in Thailand dealing in cryptocurrency is under investigation. The police allege that the large sums obtained through these scams were deposited into this account.
Current Status of the Investigation
The cases are still under investigation, with 45 financial fraud cases recorded in Thimphu since 2023, leading to losses of over nine million ngultrum. The most prevalent fraud reported involved hacking bank accounts using one-time passwords.
Advice for Bhutanese Residents
The Thimphu Police urge all Bhutanese residents traveling or residing overseas to practice caution when exchanging currency and remain vigilant against potential scams. Recommendations include securing one’s banking apps and verifying the authenticity of online interactions to protect against monetary theft.