Thirteen Accused in Rs 3.48 Million Online Banking Fraud as Nepal Cyber Bureau Uncovers SMS Phishing Scam

Kathmandu. Clicking on a link embedded in what appeared to be a routine SMS message has led to the theft of nearly Rs 3.5 million from a bank account, according to a charge sheet filed at the Kathmandu District Court on Tuesday.

The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, has filed a case against 13 absconding individuals accused of orchestrating the cyber fraud and laundering the stolen funds.

The incident occurred on 26 May 2025 at around 3:53 p.m., when Santosh Kumar Chaudhary received a message from a sender identified as “The Alert.” After clicking the suspicious link, the victim noticed no immediate change on his phone.

However, by the following morning, Chaudhary discovered multiple unauthorized transactions from his accounts at Nepal Bank Limited and Laxmi Sunrise Bank Limited. Funds had been transferred to various unfamiliar bank accounts and digital wallets.

Investigators from the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau later confirmed that attackers had gained unauthorized access to his Connect IPS account through phishing, resulting in a total loss of Rs 3,482,377.

The investigation revealed that the cyber fraud was carried out using a layered financial structure to conceal the flow of stolen funds.

On 27 May 2025, the day after the incident, the stolen amount was first distributed among four primary accounts. These included Rs 56,600 transferred to Bibash Bamjan’s account at Laxmi Sunrise Bank, and multiple transactions totaling Rs 200,000 and Rs 100,000 sent to IME Pay wallets belonging to Yab Kumar Kewat and Durgesh Kewat, respectively.

Additionally, around Rs 1.1 million was transferred to the NIC Asia Bank account of Samir Praja.

To further obscure the trail, the funds were subsequently routed to nine additional accounts. Investigators found that money from the IME Pay wallets of Yab Kumar and Durgesh Kewat was transferred to accounts belonging to Anurag Singhi, Narayan Gurung, Ranjita Tharu, and Sabina Parajuli.

Similarly, funds from Samir Praja’s account were distributed to accounts held by Anuj Bishwakarma, Khadga Thebe, Padmabahadur Bhandari, Rajib Tamang, and Rajan Magar.

During the investigation, authorities also found that several accused individuals had prior criminal records.

The prime accused, Bibash Bamjan, was previously implicated in a 2021 case in Sindhuli related to prenatal protection. Anurag Singhi was charged in 2019 in Parsa for offenses against public interest, health, and morality.

Similarly, Rajib Tamang was reportedly involved in a drug-related case in Dhading in 2024, while Rajan Magar was linked to an attempted murder case filed in April 2025 at Police Circle Boudha, Kathmandu.

Of the total stolen amount, Rs 2,008,028 has already been recovered in phases through efforts by the Cyber Bureau. However, Rs 1,456,600 remains outstanding and has been claimed for recovery through the court process.

The accused have been charged under Section 249 of the Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, with fraud, carrying a potential penalty of up to 7 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 70,000.

Authorities have also sought recovery and compensation under Section 254, along with provisions of the Criminal Victim Protection Act.

As all 13 defendants remain absconding, law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest and produce them before the court under Section 57 of the Muluki Criminal Procedure Code, 2074.

पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: जेठ १४, २०८३ १३:२

टिप्पणीहरू