KATHMANDU: Chinese criminal networks engaged in various illicit activities within Nepal have managed to obtain Nepali citizenship, passports, and even Indian Aadhar cards.

It has come to light that these forged identity documents serve as the basis for their involvement in criminal activities and extortion on behalf of the Chinese government.

Sources indicate that members of this criminal network responsible for fabricating counterfeit citizenship certificates, passports, and Indian Aadhar cards were in regular communication with certain officials from the Chinese embassies in both Nepal and India.

Additionally, it has been revealed that these criminal syndicate members, who maintain close affiliations with high-ranking officials from security agencies, senior leaders of political parties, and journalists, have successfully procured fake official identity documents from Nepal and India using these connections.

These counterfeit identity documents were discovered in the possession of six Chinese nationals who were apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation during an investigation into gold smuggling.

Sources have disclosed that Ding Seg Fa (alias Souten), one of the detainees, was in possession of a Chinese passport numbered EE 7295379.

Despite this, he resided in Nepal under the false identity of Ram Lama, a supposed permanent citizen of Kavre.

He was issued a Nepali citizenship certificate with the number 303041-2254 and a passport (No. 12589457) from the District Administration Office in Kavrepalanchok on 30 November 2018. Intriguingly, he was further granted a passport on December 23, 2021.

Similarly, another Chinese national named Li Went Song adopted the identity of Chiring Lama to reside in Nepal, obtaining both Nepali citizenship and a passport through the Citizenship and Passport Department of the District Administration Office in Kathmandu.

Li Went Song, originally from New Taipei City, China, acquired Nepali citizenship (27320644921) and passport (12623045).

Li Nengkai, hailing from Yuan City, China, was able to transform into Sonam Lama within Nepal, using a fake Nepali citizenship certificate numbered 303042-2254 and a counterfeit passport numbered 12589456 issued by Kavre District Administration Office.

Furthermore, an Indian Aadhaar card surfaced in the possession of Yao Pocheng, another detainee.

Although his Chinese passport bore the number EB 0563022, the Aadhaar card identified him as Alex Newmei H, displaying the Aadhaar card number 886962719669345P and listing an address in Sector 42 Golf Course Road, Chakrapur (74) Gurugram.

Likewise, an individual known as Tashi, who goes by the name Thupten Chiring, possessed an Indian Aadhaar card with the number 408 302 744 248.

Evidently, Tashi is a Chinese national of Tibetan origin. His indicated Indian address is Thupting Yanting House No-158 Block No-7 Manjuka Tilla, Civil Lines, North Delhi.

Dawa Chiring, a Belgian citizen of Chinese origin, has been identified as a central figure in the gold smuggling case and broader Chinese involvement in Nepal.

The seized Nepali citizenship certificate, bearing the number Napran-30-01-74-11868, indicates its issuance by the District Administration Office in Kavre, dated 2074.

Deputy Inspector General of Police and police spokesperson, Kuber Kadayat, has stated that the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has intensified its probe after discovering both Nepali citizenship certificates and Indian Aadhaar cards among the possessions of the detained Chinese citizens implicated in smuggling 61 kg of gold from Hong Kong.

Kadayat confirmed that two detainees possessed Indian Aadhaar cards, while four held Nepali citizenship certificates.

Notably, three Chinese individuals held citizenship certificates issued by the District Administration Office in Kavrepalanchok, while one held a citizenship certificate issued by the District Administration Office in Kathmandu.

To date, a total of 23 individuals, including those detained, have been arrested in connection with the gold smuggling case, and the Central Investigation Bureau is conducting its investigation.

Approximately a month ago, the Department of Revenue Investigation intercepted over one quintal kg of gold at Tribhuvan International Airport, which was on the verge of being transported through customs.

The Department transferred the case to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police for investigation.