March 9, 2026
THIMPHU – Email-based scams are emerging as a new form of online fraud in the country, with 12 email compromise cases reported to the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) as of March 4.
In addition, the police have registered four mobile blackout cases and 292 drug-related cases, with investigations still ongoing.
A total of Nu 600,905 was involved in the 12 email compromise cases. Another four mobile blackout cases involved over Nu 1 million, with no amount recovered so far.
Through email, scammers send fake links using the logo and details of organisations to make them look genuine.
Victims are tricked into clicking the links, sometimes unknowingly. Once the link is opened, scammers gain access to bank accounts through the linked email address, obtain personal information, and attempt to obtain the One-Time Password (OTP).
According to the police report on money involved and recovered, 366 scam cases were recorded between 2023 and 2026, involving Nu 40.1 million. Of this amount, Nu 12.57 million has been recovered.
Colonel Passang Dorji, Deputy Chief of the Crime and Operations Department of the RBP, said police are working closely with relevant agencies to address such issues.
“We urged people to be vigilant about phishing emails and report them to the police. There are also cases of people losing money after their mobile phones were blacked out,” he said.
The Division-wise Drugs Statistics (2024–2026) of the police show the number of drug-related cases recorded across its 14 divisions. In 2024, 1,860 drug-related cases were registered across the divisions. The number slightly decreased to 1,750 cases in 2025. As of March 4 this year, 292 cases have already been recorded.
The Narcotic Drugs and Other Vices Division (NDOVD) in Thimphu recorded the highest number of cases in both 2024 with 747 cases and in 2025 with 553 cases. However, in 2026 so far, Phuentsholing has recorded the highest number with 119 cases, followed by NDOVD Thimphu with 91 cases. Trongsa and Bumthang have reported no cases in 2026 so far.
Law enforcement agencies have also detected cases where drug consignments originating from Thailand were addressed to individual citizens but were actually intended to be transported onwards to Assam, India.
Traffickers are increasingly exploiting courier and postal services to move narcotics across borders. Drugs are often concealed inside ordinary items such as gym equipment, air compressors, and other goods to evade detection.
Police warned that trafficking networks are targeting citizens, using their names, addresses, and Taxpayer Numbers (TPN) to receive international parcels. In some cases, people may unknowingly become involved, while others may be offered financial incentives to receive or forward suspicious consignments.
According to the Royal Bhutan Police, traffickers frequently coordinate their activities through online platforms and messaging applications, arranging shipments and deliveries through courier and postal systems.
The RBP and other relevant agencies are monitoring courier and postal consignments to detect and prevent such activities.
Receiving, transporting, storing, or facilitating the movement of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances is a serious offence under the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act 2015 and carries severe legal penalties.
Police have also urged the public not to receive parcels on behalf of unknown persons, particularly from abroad, and not to allow their address, phone number, or TPN to be used by others for receiving shipments.
Citizens are advised to verify the legitimacy of international parcels addressed to them and immediately report suspicious packages or requests to the nearest police station.
The police urged that public vigilance and cooperation are essential to prevent the country from being used as a transit point for illicit drugs.
Anyone with information on suspicious drug-related activities is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station or contact the RBP hotline.