Bhutanese Conman in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

The joy of meeting someone from one’s country in a foreign land is immense.  So much so that, without slightest of hesitation and reservation you start blabbering.  How homely and at ease you feel, when you meet your countrymen. It is a wonderful feel until you learn your lesson the hard way. A Bhutanese woman married to an Indian national conned me of Rs. 2000.00, that too after being served them with foods and drinks with utmost hospitality. Never thought someone at their age would dare to commit such crime and soil their name, that too in front of their kid.

Source- Google

This is how I met them, how they outsmarted me and my friend’s, painted our foreheads with guilt of attending them so well.

I met a couple in Jaipur Bus station and had the same sensation; the wonderful and homely feel when you meet someone who speaks the same language as yours.  I was having a cup noddle while waiting for my bus to Ajmer. A couple with a baby girl came and sat facing my chair in the waiting room. Their beautiful baby girl enjoyed watching me eat and play with my phone simultaneously.  It looked like, the baby girl’s audience over me triggered parent’s attention as well and after a bit of whispering to one another’s ear, husband looked towards me and started talking.

Upon conversation with them for a while, the man happened to be an Indian national who worked in eastern Bhutan as a civil engineer for a private construction firm and his wife, Bhutanese national from Samdrup Jongkhar. I was told that, they had been living in Delhi where the husband works as a Civil engineer in a private firm until recently where he is transferred to Rajasthan. They too happened to be heading towards Ajmer; their present residence, in same bus where I had my reservation. Thus we started our journey after exchanging mobile numbers and making a point to meet in Ajmer.

It was a Sunday and I was taking the full advantage of holiday in my bed until phone call woke me. It was them; the couple I met, informing about their visit to my place. We had a great time over special courier brandy, rice, sag datshi and interesting talks followed by loud and lengthy laughs. At one time he claimed his close connection with minister of the previous government whom he tried to call, to which we requested not to. Onto what they ate, we also packed them red Bhutanese chili, Lom (dried turnip-leaf) and dried mushroom thinking they (she) might want to eat them after so many years.

They were about to leave when the husband with an innocent face approached me and asked for Rs. 3000.00. Earlier we were told that he earns almost Rs.100, 000.00 a month and I was wondering, how on earth a man earning such amount is less of Rs. 3000.00? Before I could utter a word, I was told not to tell his wife about it, stating she is suffering from cancer and he doesn't want to bother her. Sometimes it’s hard not to believe when compassion grows naturally in you and tend to mistake crocodile tears for a genuine one. I did not have cash and asked for my friend’s, and together we managed Rs.2000.00 which he promised to return in two days. And now it’s about four/five months without even a trace of them keep aside the money.

Every time one tells something, other either supplements or continues with another story. That’s how two of them make perfect combo in deception. This, I knew only after knowing their true intention later.  Also later we came to know about their real identity as well. Both fled from Bhutan for: wife was convicted for criminal case and husband for excessive conning.

Though part of their story featuring me and my friend’s ends here, we are certain that there are many such stories with guest characters like us and if you are not careful with people you meet along the way, you will be next. You cannot guarantee happiness simply being Bhutanese or from the land of GNH, so be informed of such individuals and stay smart unlike ME & MY FRIENDS!