KATHMANDU, Feb 12: Known for its firm discipline and tough stance on crime, Nepal Police struck a softer, yet pointed, tone this Valentine’s Week, mixing messages of love with reminders of responsibility and safety.
Marking the week through a series of social media posts, the police reached out to young people with catchy one-liners that blended romance with caution.
On the first day of Valentine’s Week, Nepal Police posted: “A lover asks for your heart, but a cyber fraudster asks for your OTP and password.”
With that line, the police warned the public not to share confidential information. Framing cyber awareness in the language of love, the message highlighted a growing threat: romance scams, fake social media profiles, online fraud and bank theft through stolen OTPs. As digital use expands rapidly, such crimes have surged in recent years, making the campaign timely.
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“Nepal Police has been regularly disseminating awareness messages to strengthen trust between citizens and the police,” said Nepal Police spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire. “Ensuring citizens’ safety is our top priority.”
Another post cleverly tied romantic promises to road safety: “Break a promise, and you face problems at home; break traffic rules, and you face problems on the road.”
The message urged youths not to let excitement override responsibility. Valentine’s Day often means outings, rides and celebrations — and, traffic police say, a spike in overspeeding, helmet violations and signal breaches. “Love is a beautiful part of life, but celebration without safety can turn tragic,” the spokesperson said.
In yet another post, police cautioned: “Chocolate may melt, but digital crimes do not disappear.” The line served as a reminder that photos, videos and personal details shared online can leave a permanent footprint. Once uploaded, content can be difficult — if not impossible — to erase completely.
To strengthen its response to rising cyber threats, Nepal Police has announced plans to establish a dedicated AI cell to monitor digital crimes and support legal action.
According to the Cyber Bureau, cases of online blackmail, fake accounts and misuse of photos and videos have increased significantly in recent years, particularly targeting teenagers and young adults. Police have urged citizens to celebrate responsibly — both offline and online.
While the institution remains firm in investigation, arrests and enforcement, its recent social media outreach reflects a more creative and human-centred approach.
“This loving style of the police is really nice,” wrote social media user Anil Parajuli. “I love you, Nepal Police.”
Others echoed the sentiment. “Strict police but sweet message,” wrote Bimal Thapa. “Not only will I follow traffic rules, I also won’t break anyone’s heart either.”
As Valentine’s Day on February 14 — preceded by Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day and Promise Day — has grown increasingly popular among Nepali youths, Nepal Police has used the occasion to deliver a simple message: Love freely, but act responsibly.
