Government Targets Telegram Amid Push to Exit Money Laundering Grey List
साउन २, २०८२ १६:२२
Kathmandu: The government has launched a move to shut down the messaging app Telegram, citing its link to criminal activities and in an effort to remove Nepal from the money laundering grey list.
The National Coordination Committee on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, has taken the lead in this action. On Thursday, the committee sent a letter to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, instructing it to take necessary steps against the app, according to the ministry.
The committee concluded that various kind of fraud, drug trafficking, hundi, and other illegal activities are growing rapidly through Telegram. It also cited the lack of a local contact person or official representative of Telegram in Nepal as a reason to recommend the shutdown.
The government has taken a hardline stance against the app, pointing to its suspected role in money laundering. According to sources, the government aims to shut down Telegram by next Monday.
“Nepal is currently on the grey list for money laundering. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has issued strict instructions to get Nepal off that list. By shutting down Telegram under this pretext, the government wants to show internationally that it is serious about tackling money laundering,” a source said.
So far, the Ministry of Communications has not been able to reach any official representative of Telegram. Joint Secretary Gajendra Kumar Thakur said that although the ministry attempted to contact Telegram for a discussion, they could not find any official channel or local point of contact. He also noted that Telegram is not even registered with the ministry. Action will be taken if the app is found operating against Nepal's laws, he said.
The ministry has been working to gather evidence against Telegram since Thursday. Officials are looking into possible links that could support legal action.
“We’ve found users involved in hundi, online betting, and other financial crimes that fall under money laundering. Based on the evidence we’ve collected, we’ve recommended the Ministry of Communications take action. We’ll submit the documents to back our request. Telegram has become our target,” said an official from the Prime Minister’s Office.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: साउन २, २०८२ १६:२२
