KATHMANDU: As many as 32 individuals were implicated in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam to extort millions of rupees from Nepali citizens.

The perpetrators orchestrated the fraud by deceiving innocent people into falsely claiming Bhutanese refugee status and facilitating their resettlement in America.

SSP Dan Bahadur Karki, the head of the District Police Range in Kathmandu, has announced the completion of a comprehensive two-month investigation.

Police, meanwhile, is submitting the report to the District Attorney’s Office today.

According to the findings, it has been determined that a total of 32 individuals were involved in this highly-organized criminal scam.

Police said 16 individuals have been apprehended and are currently in police custody, while an additional 16 individuals will be identified as absconding defendants in the official report.

The authorities are actively pursuing these remaining individuals to ensure their inclusion in the legal proceedings.

According to SSP Karki, the police will submit the investigation report with opinion to the district attorney’s office, in Kathmandu today.

Officials involved in the investigation have disclosed that the individuals implicated in this fraudulent scheme have successfully extorted Rs 24 million.