Police have identified three more people who were allegedly duped by Yarab Global Education Consultancy and Placement Firm, taking the number to 49. They were allegedly defrauded of millions of ngultrum under the pretext of securing overseas employment. The firm has allegedly taken about Nu 38 M from them.
Police identified the new victims through other complainants. Police said they have been reluctant to lodge a complaint.
The police have been tracing the financial transactions of three suspects, CEO, the Director, and another accomplice. The suspects are said to be in India.
Police found nearly Nu 28 M in their accounts, with the CEO holding most of the amount at 19 million ngultrum. An additional Nu 9.8 M was found in the firm’s account.
They allegedly processed work visas for the United Kingdom, Canada, Vietnam and the Czech Republic.
However, the police say the total amount may be reduced since the firm claims to have refunded some of the victims.
The investigation is nearly complete. An Interpol Red Notice has been in place since last year to bring back the suspects.
The alleged scam is believed to have operated from September 2023 to July last year.
In June last year, the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority indefinitely suspended Yarab Global Education Consultancy and Placement Firm after uncovering forged documents and unauthorised job placements. Despite the suspension stating that the firm remains accountable to clients whose applications were processed before the ban, affected individuals say they have yet to receive refunds or any clear resolution to their cases.
All this while, the firm has denied the allegations and claimed they had fallen victim to fraud by its agent partner in India.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
