46 Bhutanese allegedly duped by overseas job scam: Suspects believed to be in India

2026-03-09 - 08:55

Victims lost Nu 3.62M as documentation and visa processing fees A total of 46 Bhutanese individuals have allegedly been deceived by an Education Consultancy and Placement Firm (ECPF) Yarab Global Education Consultancy that promised employment opportunities in Canada and other European countries, with the three main suspects believed to have fled to India. According to the Chief Program Officer, Department of Law and Order (DLO), Ministry of Home Affairs, Karma Dorji, the case first came to light on 9th July 2025 when a woman lodged a complaint alleging forgery and deceptive practice against the ECPF. The complainant alleged that she had been misled with promises of employment in Canada under a “Canada Work Program” and other job opportunities in Europe. On the same day, the DLO also forwarded a suspected case involving scamming and exploitation linked to the same firm. The report indicated that three Bhutanese individuals had returned from Vietnam, while nine others were still in Vietnam at the time, after being deceived with similar job promises. The individuals were allegedly subjected to exploitation while in Vietnam. Subsequently, on 16th July 2025, the DLO forwarded another complaint involving eight individuals who had reportedly been deceived with job offers in Canada by the same suspects. More complaints surfaced later in the year. On 9th December 2025, 12 additional individuals reported to the Central Thimphu Police Station (CTPS) alleging similar fraudulent practices by the same ECPF. Each of the complainants reportedly paid Nu 721,000 as documentation and visa processing fees. Following the complaints, authorities conducted a preliminary investigation which identified the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of the firm, and another individual as the principal suspects behind the alleged scam. However, investigators found that the suspects had already fled to India, and their exact whereabouts remain unknown. Based on statements recorded from the 12 victims, the individuals were initially taken to Vietnam under the pretext of further processing for employment in Canada. The Chief Program Officer, DLO said all 12 individuals have since safely returned to Bhutan. He said that further investigation revealed that a total of 46 Bhutanese individuals were deceived by the suspects, who allegedly promised employment opportunities in Canada and other European countries. Collectively, the victims are reported to have paid approximately Nu 3.62 million in documentation and visa processing fees to the consultancy. DLO said that the suspects are believed to be residing in Delhi, India, although their precise current location has yet to be confirmed. DLO is currently working closely with multiple agencies, including Interpol, immigration authorities, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, as part of efforts to track down the suspects and pursue the investigation. Consultant Director replies from India Meanwhile, the Director of Yarab, Gembo Tashi, who is currently in India said that he had tried to warn the CEO Thinley Dorji (also in India) that sending people abroad may not be allowed for an education consultancy. He claimed his CEO found an Indian partner and they planned to send 8 Bhutanese to UK and collected Nu 1.37 mn from each of them but the Indian partner took the money and the CEO filed a case in India against the person who is from Kerala. He said the CEO refunded one Bhutanese fully and others partly. Gembo claimed that the CEO tried another program to send Bhutanese to Canada and he got scammed by another Indian partner and lost the money of the Bhutanese. Gembo said he and a partner Rinchen worked together to send 8 Bhutanese to Cyprus but here again he claimed another Indian partner of theirs scammed them of Nu 3.6 mn and they filed a police complaint in India. He said they took the 8 people and four more people and decided to send 12 of them to Serbia and Montenegro but there were some visa issues and delays and so under pressure he and Rinchen suggested they go to Vietnam in the meantime work for three months and then from there head to Serbia and Montenegro. He said they lost around another Nu 1 mn with an agent in Germany putting in the money. The Bhutanese in Vietnam came back. Gembo said that while the three of them are in India they are still in touch with the police and the victims and are trying to help. When asked why do they not come back and face the law if they are innocent, he claimed that they would simply be locked up and so not get a chance to resolve the issue or help pay back the victims.