KATHMANDU: The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested four people for allegedly defrauding victims by posing as bank officials and claiming that their KYC details needed to be updated.
Those arrested are 22-year-old Abhay Tiwari of Deutal Rural Municipality-4, Bara; 22-year-old Jay Kumar Kevat of Ramgram Municipality-16, Nawalparasi (West); 22-year-old Vidyasagar Kevat of Ramgram Municipality-17; and 27-year-old Kuber Thapa of Birgunj Metropolitan City-3, Parsa.
According to Cyber Bureau spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Dilip Kumar Giri, the suspects targeted serving and retired employees through phone and WhatsApp calls, falsely claiming to be calling from banks.
Police said the suspects persuaded victims to share their mobile screens or provide one-time passwords (OTPs) under the pretext of updating KYC details. They allegedly used the information to gain unauthorized access to victims’ bank accounts and transfer money to other accounts.
The four suspects are being investigated under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063, on charges of unauthorized access and electronic fraud. The Kathmandu District Court has granted police a five-day extension of custody for further investigation.
Police have urged the public not to share OTPs, passwords, PINs or other sensitive financial information with anyone contacting them by phone or online while claiming to represent banks or financial institutions.
