‘SMC’ App Scam Targeting 70,000 Nepalis Uncovered, 11 Arrested Including Chinese National

Kathmandu: The Cyber Bureau has uncovered a large-scale online fraud operation run through the ‘SMC’ app. Police have arrested 11 people for allegedly defrauding more than 70,000 Nepalis by operating a network marketing scam under the name of ‘SMCN Advertising Service Center Pvt. Ltd.’

According to the bureau, the group defrauded Rs 128.16 million and an additional Rs 372,000. Among those arrested is one Chinese national. The remaining 10 are Nepali citizens.

Those arrested include 37-year-old Chinese national He Jiangjiang, 21-year-old Milan Shrestha, 19-year-old Saugat Thapa, 33-year-old Bir Bahadur Tamang, 23-year-old Sonam Khatun, and 23-year-old Priya KC. Police have also detained Monica Gurung, 22; Geeta Gurung, 21; Nasir Mia Ansari, 37; Saira Khatun, 66; and Ram Niwas Prasad Kalwar, 67.

They were arrested on different dates from Thamel, Lolang, Tokha, Tarakeswar, Butwal, and Birgunj. The accused are being investigated for organized crime and electronic fraud.

This Is How The Fraud Worked

Police say the group operated from an office in Khairhani Municipality–6, Chitwan. To gain public trust, they displayed fake registration certificates and falsely claimed links with international film companies such as Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Disney.

Victims were lured into investing through the ‘SMC’ app with promises of earning money by watching film advertisements. The investigation found that the entire operation followed a pyramid-style Ponzi scheme.

Attractive commissions and daily income were promised for adding new members. Money collected from new users was used to pay earlier participants. The group also spread false claims of earning daily returns of up to 1.2 percent by investing in fictitious funds, including references to BlackRock, to create an illusion of legitimacy.

So far, police have received 255 complaints. The total fraud amount is expected to rise.

The Cyber Bureau has warned the public not to allow strangers to use their bank accounts or QR codes for small commissions and not to act as ‘money mules.’

Police have also urged people to avoid misleading advertisements that promise income by watching videos from home or high returns with minimal investment. They have advised verifying the legitimacy of any online business before joining and to file a police complaint immediately, with evidence, if they have been cheated through such apps or online tasks.

 

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