Nepal Telecom has been losing around Rs 50 million every month, thanks to illegal VOIP channels operated from 20 points within the Capital Valley. "Given closure of all the illegal VOIP channels, we can acquire the amount as a surplus," said Telecom spokesman Surendra Thike.
Continuing its crackdown on VOIP rackets, Nepal Police on Wednesday busted the third such racket within two weeks. Thike, talking to reporters at Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) office on Thursday, said that VOIP rackets have been using over 150,000 sim-cards which Nepal Telecom has already issued.
He, however, added that it could not be surmised how many rackets may have been involved.
"Within a short period after two rackets were busted, we found an increment of Rs 8 million in our income," he said.
VOIP rackets are found to have been locally originating international calls through the use of Nepal Telecom sim-cards as well as those issued by other service providers. Using sophisticated equipment they block the gateways of service providers and originate international calls toward their own channels.
In all three rackets busted so far, the main perpetrators have been found to be foreigners. The kingpin of the latest racket busted is Mamun Fukil, 26, of Kolkata, India. He was operating from Handigaon. "This indicates that the rackets here could have tie-ups with similar rings, particularly in India," said an investigative officer.
International calls with local numbers displayed on the screen are considered to be locally originated by illegal VOIP operators. They can also originate international calls displaying only 3 or 4 digits or a set of numbers like 000+4400+2222. Such calls are unclear or can disconnect of their own accord time and again.
Only licensed companies can operate VOIP services, subject to tax by the state. Illegal VOIP operators earn some 8-12 US cents from a minute´s call.
According to Inspector Gautam Kumar KC, investigative officer at MPCD, the illegal operators make possible landing or departure of incoming or outgoing international calls through pseudo-gateways, with technical backup from digital or analog call bypass equipment.
According to the Telecom Act 2053, misusing or doing anything harmful to the telecom system, to its structures, or to its equipment with malicious intent is a crime punishable with a fine equal to the amount claimed for harm caused or five years in jail or both.
Prosecutors say they are aware of the possible role of technically capable staff at telecom service providers in sustaining the illegal business.
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