IME Remittance Counter Users’ Citizenship Misused For Online Fraud, Seven Arrested

Kathmandu: Seven people have been arrested for misusing citizenship documents collected from an IME remittance counter to carry out online fraud. The case came to light after two victims filed complaints at the District Police Office, Dhanusha.

One victim was cheated after seeing an advertisement for cheap furniture on social media. Another was defrauded while trying to buy a motorcycle through Facebook. In both cases, the victims were asked to make advance payments. After transferring the money, the advertisers went out of contact.

“Both victims were cheated while trying to purchase goods online,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Ganesh Bahadur Bam. “We began the investigation based on their complaints.”

During the investigation, police traced the digital wallet used to receive the money. The wallet was registered in the name of a woman from Ganeshman Charnath Municipality, Dhanusha.

When police took her into custody, she said she did not even know what a digital wallet was. She could only read. However, after being shown the photo used in the wallet, she recalled where and when it had been taken.

Based on her information, police reached Mama Bhanja Traders, an IME counter in Ward No. 9 of Charnath Municipality. After questioning the operator, Bishal Bhujel alias Binod, police uncovered a wider fraud network linked to the counter of IME Remittance.

How The Fraud Worked

According to DSP Bam, Bhujel targeted remittance service users, especially women.

“He focused on people returning from foreign employment,” Bam said. “To release remittance money, he asked for citizenship copies and photos. If someone did not have a photo, he would take it himself.”

To receive the remittance, service users handed over their citizenship copy and photo. These documents were passed to Santosh Mandal, 37, owner of a nearby Deepshikha mobile shop. Mandal paid Bhujel Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per set of citizenship documents.

Using these documents, Mandal issued SIM cards and created verified digital wallets, including eSewa and Khalti. Police said he also issued extra SIM cards in customers’ names without their knowledge.

Mandal sold the verified wallet accounts to Sadhu Ram, 25, of Dhanauji Rural Municipality, Dhanusha, for Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 each. Sadhu Ram logged into these wallets on his own devices and supplied them to an online fraud group. Police said he also took a commission of 25 to 30 percent of the fraud amount.

Sadhu Ram provided these wallets to Balram Mandal, 22, Rupesh Kumar Sah, 20, and Nikki Kumar Ram, 19. The trio created fake social media profiles and posted advertisements offering clothes, furniture, and motorcycles at very low prices. Once customers transferred money to the wallets, they cut off all contact.

Rs 3.92 Million Transaction, Seven In Custody

Police have arrested seven people so far. Initial investigation shows that more than Rs 3.92 million was transacted through the wallet accounts linked to the accused.

“Further investigation is underway to identify the main mastermind and those operating at higher levels,” DSP Bam said.

Police have seized a large quantity of electronic devices and documents. The recovered items include 19 mobile phones, four laptops, one Apple iPad, 20 SIM cards used in fraud, 55 SIM card covers, and three internet routers.

Police said legal proceedings are ongoing and further arrests are possible.

 

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