KATHMANDU: These days, you don’t need to go to the market to shop; everything is available online. With just one click on your mobile, your desired item can be delivered right to your doorstep.
While technology is intended to make life easier, this convenience can sometimes lead to significant harm.
For instance, a young man from the Sudurpaschim came to Kathmandu to study.
His mobile phone was becoming outdated, so he asked his father for money to buy a new one. The funds arrived from home, and he found it easier to order online rather than visit a mobile shop.
After placing his order, he had to pay 12,000 rupees in advance. However, once the payment was made, the app blocked him from accessing his order.
In another case, a man from Gulmi, who was employed by a private company in Kathmandu, sought help from an agent after struggling to find a room.
Living in temporary accommodation, he was preparing to rent a flat and bring his wife and child from the village.
The agent informed him that he needed to pay a fee in advance, so he paid 1,000 rupees, hoping to secure a flat. Unfortunately, the agent disappeared within a few days.
Now, where could he report this fraud? Filing a complaint with the Cyber Bureau would take time away from work and cost more than the thousand rupees he lost. Heartbroken, he chose not to file a complaint at all.
These incidents are not isolated; many people are falling victim to similar scams.
Recently, the Financial Information Unit of Nepal Rastra Bank released a report revealing that a significant number of students are involved in fraudulent activities, particularly among those aged 18 to 24.
The report highlights that fraud is often perpetrated through gifts and parcels, misuse of social media, fake online platforms, one-time passwords (OTP), and lottery schemes.
The Strategic Analysis Report (2024), based on cyber technology, found that numerous financial transactions involving teenagers are suspicious.
It noted that individuals identifying as ‘students’ are frequently involved in fraud. Of 501 suspicious transactions analyzed, 319 were linked to cyber fraud.
Among the 151 accounts sampled, 145 (78 percent) were opened between 2023 and 2024.
Nearly half of these accounts, or 49 percent, exhibited suspicious transactions within just three months.
Additionally, 25 percent had suspicious transactions after nine months, while three percent had issues after one year, and 23 percent showed suspicious activity after more than a year.
The central bank concludes that many of these individuals opened bank accounts solely to commit crimes.
The report indicates that the most common type of fraud (21 percent) was through enticing offers of gifts and parcels.
Furthermore, 15 percent of fraud cases involved threats to disclose confidential information via social media or offers of iPhones as gifts, while 13 percent were linked to fake online platforms.
Seven percent of fraud cases involved unauthorized access to others’ accounts, and nine percent were through OTP scams. The remaining 13 percent involved other fraudulent methods.
Geographically, the highest number of incidents was reported in Bagmati Province.
Out of 145 suspicious transactions, 55 occurred in Bagmati, 41 in Madhesh, 27 in Koshi, 10 in Lumbini, 6 in Gandaki, 2 in Sudurpaschim, and 1 in Karnali Province.
Numerous advertisements on social media are promoting job opportunities using the logos of government offices, falsely claiming that no education or experience is necessary for employment and offering unbelievable salaries.
Unfortunately, many citizens continue to fall victim to these scams.
Recently, Nepal Rastra Bank issued a warning about these misleading advertisements, stating that it would not recruit employees through social media.
Nepal Rastra Bank Highlights Fraudulent Use of ‘Student’ Status
Basudev Bhattarai, Director and Head of the Financial Information Unit at Nepal Rastra Bank, has revealed that many individuals are listing themselves as ‘students’ on bank account opening forms to commit fraud.
In an interview with Khabarhub, he stated, “When opening a bank account, it is mandatory to provide personal details and profession. Many who identify as students have been found involved in financial crimes.”
Bhattarai speculates that this trend may stem from a misconception that identifying as a student will exempt individuals from suspicion.
He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine whether these students are directly involved in the fraud or if others are perpetrating crimes under the guise of being students.
He also noted that the unit has yet to investigate whether those committing financial crimes come from the IT sector or other fields.
“We need to understand who is involved in such crimes, why they are committing them, and what kind of family background they come from. Relevant agencies should delve into these issues. We have identified the problem,” said Bhattarai.
Cyber Bureau Spokesperson Deepak Awasthi cautioned that this is not a time to trust others easily.
“Even educated and aware individuals are falling victim to fraud. Sophisticated fraudsters have emerged, and committing fraud over the internet has become easier than ever,” he said.
Awasthi pointed out that citizens are being defrauded daily through methods such as lotteries, games, and online gambling.
He acknowledged that the manpower available to investigate the complaints received by the bureau is insufficient, and they are unable to address incidents that have not been reported.
“It is the government’s responsibility to establish a mechanism to protect citizens from financial fraud. Individuals must also remain vigilant and aware of the potential for deception,” Awasthi concluded.
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