The board seeks police help to find those involved in using counterfeit stamp, letterhead and signature of NTB

KATHMANDU, Feb 11: Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has requested concerned authorities including the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police to take action against those involved in using fake stamps and letterheads of the board to invite renowned Indian singer Arijit Singh to a musical show in Nepal.

Issuing a notice on Friday, NTB said its attention has been drawn to a letter dated January 23, 2023 sent to the Indian singer using fake stamps and computer-generated letter head of the board bearing a digitally copied signature of NTB’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Dhananjay Regmi to invite Singh for the so called “musical charity show” in Kathmandu.

Media Consultant at NTB, TP Bhusal clarified that the board has sent no such letter to the Indian singer. He added that the contact number, address, logo and other details mentioned in the letter do not match with the details of the NTB.

“We received information about the fake letter today and decided to disseminate the right information. We have also sought help from the police to identify those behind such counterfeit act,” Bhusal told Republica. 

In the fake letter, it is mentioned that NTB is organizing a charitable musical concert for a special cause on the occasion of the Nepalese New Year 2070 BS. It mentions that the proceeds from the show would go to the School Development Fund to build new schools in remote Himalayan areas.

The forged letter stated that NTB will arrange a VIP welcome to the singer along with national level security, accommodation in five-star hotels, flights and accommodation and helicopter flight to Mount Everest. It also said that the organizer would make special arrangements for ‘pooja and aarati’ at Hindu's biggest Temple, Pashupatinath, in addition to cultural tour of the city for the singer.

“We are willing to add anything your team would like to do or see in Nepal like paragliding, bungee jumping, zip line, rafting and other adventurous activities during your stay in Nepal,” reads the fake letter.

Mani Raj Lamichhane, director of NTB, said that the issue came into limelight after an official of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation asked CEO of NTB Dr Dhananjay Regmi if the board was inviting the Indian singer to Nepal. “NTB’s CEO Dr Dhananjay Regmi had gone to the ministry for a meeting on Thursday. One of the officials of the ministry asked him about the invitation forwarded to Arijit Singh,” he said, adding, “Upon further inquiry, we came to know that a fake letter had been sent to the Indian singer."

According to NTB’s Media Consultant Bhusal, even the website mentioned in the fake letter is not the actual website of NTB. 

“When we tried to call the number mentioned in the letter, it was switched off,” added Bhusal.

NTB in the notice said it will take every necessary legal step to book those involved in such illegal act.

The fake letter:

 
• Nepal_Tourism_Board
 
• Arijit_Singh
 
• fake_letter