KATHMANDU, Oct 29: By the time victims report an online scam and police contact banks to freeze the stolen money, it is often too late. The funds have already moved, leaving victims with little chance of recovering their losses.
Now, the government is preparing to establish an integrated anti-scam center at the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, bringing banks, digital wallet operators and telecom service providers together to help stop fraudulent transactions before the money disappears.
The move comes as complaints filed with the bureau over the past three fiscal years involve more than Rs 4 billion in alleged scam-related losses. With online fraud becoming increasingly widespread, the bureau is also preparing to strengthen its infrastructure, technology and investigative capacity.
Currently operating from a narrow alley in Bhotahity, Kathmandu, the bureau is set to move to a new building in Samakhusi. The new facility will not only provide modern infrastructure and technology but also accommodate private-sector representatives who will work alongside police investigators.
Established in 2018 as a specialized unit to investigate cybercrime, the bureau receives more than 7,000 complaints annually, most involving online fraud. Online gambling scams, fake lottery messages and theft of money directly from bank accounts are among the most common cases.
Under the proposed arrangement, representatives from all 20 Class A commercial banks will work at the bureau in three shifts. A work procedure is being prepared to facilitate their deployment and ensure they can assist investigations.
Digital wallet operators eSewa and Khalti will also be required to assign representatives, while Nepal Telecom and internet service providers will deploy staff to cover all three shifts, according to Cyber Bureau chief Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nabinda Aryal.
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The plan envisages stationing 114 private-sector representatives at the bureau to support police investigations.
“Victims of cyber scams transfer money to bank accounts or digital wallets. Such transactions must be stopped immediately. By the time we write to banks and wallet companies requesting them to freeze the funds, it is often too late, leaving victims with little chance of recovering their money,” Aryal said.
“With representatives of banks and wallet companies stationed at the bureau, we can freeze the funds as soon as a complaint is received,” he added.
Many victims fall for messages claiming they have won a lottery and transfer money to accounts or digital wallets believing the offers are genuine. Others disclose their personal and banking details to callers posing as bank employees, sometimes losing their entire savings.
The accounts used to receive stolen money are often opened using citizenship documents belonging to people other than the actual perpetrators. Unless the funds are frozen quickly, recovering them becomes difficult, Aryal said.
Retired central bank employees among victims
Online scammers have targeted not only ordinary citizens but also former employees of Nepal Rastra Bank.
In a case filed about a month ago, scammers allegedly called retired central bank employees, claiming that their know-your-customer (KYC) details needed updating. The bureau investigated after the victims reported that money had been stolen from their bank accounts.
Thirty-nine former Nepal Rastra Bank employees filed complaints over the theft. An investigation found that Rs 17.9 million had been stolen. Police arrested four people in connection with the case, and three were remanded in custody pending trial.
The bureau has also helped victims recover Rs 4.9 million lost to online fraud and bank account theft.
According to police data, 2,379 complaints were filed over the past three fiscal years by people who lost money after trusting calls claiming that their bank or financial institution details needed updating or after disclosing their one-time passwords (OTPs).
These figures cover only complaints registered with the Cyber Bureau. In fiscal year 2025/26, the bureau received 7,296 cybercrime complaints, most of which involved financial losses.
Over the past three fiscal years, complaints involving more than Rs 4 billion in alleged scam-related losses have been registered with the bureau. Delays in coordinating with banks and financial institutions to freeze the funds have made it difficult to recover money for victims.
The proposed anti-scam center aims to address this gap by enabling faster coordination among investigators and financial service providers.
Police seek more than 1,000 cyber security personnel
Alongside the planned anti-scam center, Nepal Police is seeking to expand its cyber security workforce as part of its three-year plan.
The police have submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking approval to recruit more than 1,000 personnel dedicated to cyber security. The proposal has also been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, a Home Ministry official said.
Police Spokesperson DIG Abi Narayan Kafle said cyber units equipped with technical personnel had already been established at district police offices across the country. However, a shortage of skilled personnel has prompted the police to seek additional positions.
“Cybercrime control is the top priority in the inspector general's three-year action plan. The organization is working accordingly,” Kafle said.
“Efforts are underway to develop personnel capable of addressing risks posed by artificial intelligence and to strengthen the Cyber Bureau.”
