International News: A major cyber fraud network operating in Nepal has been dismantled after police raids in two upscale Kathmandu neighborhoods. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 52 people, including six Chinese nationals identified as the masterminds. Authorities seized 9 laptops, 54 mobile phones, and over 1.4 million rupees in cash. The investigation uncovered that the ring was running sophisticated scams using fake dating apps and call center setups to extract digital currencies. Nepal’s Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) led the operation after receiving an anonymous tip-off. The scam reportedly targeted users across South Asia, including India and Bangladesh.
Chinese Link Raises Red Flags
The arrested Chinese nationals—Zhang Lun, Chen Jiahao, Lin De, Zhu Zheng, Liu Jiexuan, and Zhu Linghua—were allegedly overseeing technical and financial operations. All six are in their late 20s to early 40s, and had reportedly been living in Nepal on business or student visas. Investigators believe the scam had direct links to Chinese cybercriminal networks operating across Southeast Asia. Nepalese intelligence is now probing deeper into their backgrounds and financial trails. Authorities are not ruling out a larger “digital laundering” chain.
Fake Apps, Real Losses Reported
Victims were lured through fake dating platforms and fraudulent job listings, then manipulated into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Once the money was transferred, communication would abruptly end. The apps, hosted on obscure servers, mimicked popular fintech designs to appear legitimate. Some victims were promised high crypto returns and asked to recruit others—indicating a possible Ponzi structure. Reports suggest that the majority of these scams were coordinated from two homes in Lalitpur and Chagal-Tahachal.
Raids Executed With Precision Timing
The operation was launched after weeks of surveillance and coordination with Nepal’s cybercrime cell. The two targeted homes were raided simultaneously to prevent data destruction or escape. CIB officers said the suspects were caught “actively working” on laptops when the raid occurred. Evidence including chat transcripts, financial transactions, and fake ID documents was secured on-site. No one was seriously injured, and the suspects surrendered without major resistance.
Cross-Border Probe Now Underway
Nepalese officials have contacted both Interpol and the Chinese Embassy regarding the detained nationals. Preliminary reports suggest some suspects were wanted in connection with cybercrimes in Thailand and Vietnam. Nepal is expected to coordinate with regional partners to trace the money trail. Experts believe the gang may have laundered millions through crypto wallets, some of which remain active. International pressure is mounting on Kathmandu to increase surveillance of foreign-run digital operations.
Call Centers Were Scam Hubs
Inside the raided buildings, police discovered illegal call center setups used to communicate with victims. These call centers operated in multiple languages, targeting victims with region-specific scams. The teams included translators, tech support, and financial handlers. Authorities believe these were just two among several such hubs operating discreetly in Nepal. Hardware seized from the sites is now under forensic analysis.
Nepal Faces Digital Security Wake-Up
This bust has highlighted Nepal’s growing vulnerability as a hub for cross-border cybercrime. Low regulatory oversight and easy visa policies are being blamed for attracting criminal elements. Cyber experts are urging Nepal to upgrade its cyber laws and monitor foreign digital operations more stringently. The CIB has vowed to expand its crackdown. But for now, this case marks Nepal’s most high-profile digital crime exposure to date.
