Teku Police Office on Online Fraud Burned Down; Thousands of Victims’ Files Lost
असोज २, २०८२ १३:३७
Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office in Teku, the main body handling online fraud cases, was destroyed in an arson attack during the Gen-Z movement. Thousands of victims’ complaints and pieces of evidence were lost in the fire.
The office investigates lottery scams, online shopping fraud, social media hacking, digital wallet and banking fraud, and account theft using fake SIM cards. Police report that over 90 percent of files and evidence were destroyed.
The destruction has left the future of thousands of pending cases uncertain. The office, especially its 'Pillar Three,' handled online fraud complaints, including scams involving fake parcels, low-cost electronics sales, social media hacking for ransom, and impersonation of bank or digital wallet staff to steal money.
It also investigated online investment scams and frauds promising foreign employment. Many complaints were referred to here by the Cyber Bureau.
The arson destroyed both physical and digital assets. Thousands of complaints and evidence files were burned or looted. According to an investigation officer, only about 10 percent of the files have been recovered. “About 90 percent of our files are gone, including mid-investigation cases where money was to be collected. We no longer know who paid what,” he said.
The main server room was also destroyed, wiping out digital evidence. “Even if head office backups exist, they only include applications, not supporting evidence like screenshots. Applications without evidence cannot proceed,” the officer added.
Victims urged to refile complaints
SP Kazi Kumar Acharya said victims must submit new applications. “All old files and evidence are gone. Victims should submit new applications with all evidence, as initially provided,” he said. “Without evidence, investigations will be very difficult.”
Many victims had already deleted screenshots or other proof, making the situation even harder.
Partial work resumes amid severe shortages
Police are trying to restart operations from a nearby building but face extreme resource shortages. “We have just connected the internet. All computers burned; work will start only when we get a few computers,” said SP Acharya.
An officer added, “Even with that many computers before, handling the valley’s cases was hard. Now, even one desktop and printer will help. Managing the valley’s cases with one computer is impossible.”
Official damage reports are expected Thursday, as Wednesday was a public holiday. Nepal Police Central Spokesperson DIGP Binod Ghimire said the Directorate of Information Technology is assisting in assessing the destruction.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: असोज २, २०८२ १३:३७
