Former Lumbini Minister Among Victims as Police Bust TikTok Sextortion Scheme

 

Kathmandu. A former minister of Lumbini Province is among hundreds of people allegedly targeted in a TikTok-based sextortion scheme that police say was orchestrated by a young man who had previously fallen victim to a similar scam himself.

The accused, Niraj Dhakal of Punarbas Municipality-11, Kanchanpur, has been charged under Section 47(1) of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063, after extorting money from victims by luring them into video calls and threatening to release compromising screenshots and recordings.

From victim to alleged mastermind

According to the police investigation, Dhakal, who had studied up to Grade 9 and was living with his elder brother in Patan, Lalitpur, first became a victim of an online video-call scam.

While using TikTok, he came across an account advertising video-call services. After contacting the account on WhatsApp, he was asked to pay Rs 300 for a demo call and Rs 2,000 for a full video call. After sending the money, he was blocked.

Instead of reporting the incident to the police, investigators say Dhakal decided to replicate the scheme himself.

How the scam operated

Police said Dhakal created a fake TikTok account under the name "Hina Xettri" (@hinavc1) and uploaded videos of attractive women downloaded from Instagram, often using captions such as "VC come."

When users contacted the account, they were directed to WhatsApp and asked to pay Rs 300 for a demo call or Rs 2,000 for a full video call.

During the calls, Dhakal allegedly played pre-recorded obscene and semi-nude videos downloaded from Telegram on a second mobile phone while recording the victim's face from his primary device.

Investigators said he then captured screenshots and screen recordings showing the victims alongside the explicit content before sending threatening messages claiming he would file a police complaint or upload the material to TikTok unless they paid money.

Fearing damage to their reputation, many victims allegedly transferred amounts ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 through eSewa.

During questioning, Dhakal reportedly told police that around 1,500 people had contacted him through TikTok. He claimed to have conducted video calls with approximately 400 individuals and collected about Rs 100,000 through the scheme.

Former minister among victims

Police said a former minister of Lumbini Province also fell victim to the racket.

According to the investigation, the former minister contacted the fake TikTok account, paid Rs 300 for a video call, and later received threats after screenshots of the call were captured.

The victim allegedly transferred Rs 500 and Rs 300 in two separate payments after being threatened that the material would be shared publicly and reported to the police. When the accused later demanded Rs 10,000, the former minister instead filed a complaint with the police.

Arrest in Mustang

Following the complaint, police launched a technical investigation that led to Dhakal's arrest in Gharpajhong Rural Municipality-4, Jomsom, Mustang.

Police recovered an iPhone 14 and a SIM card allegedly used in the commission of the crime.

The District Government Attorney Office, Mustang, has filed a case against Dhakal under Section 47(1) of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 100,000, or both upon conviction.

The former minister has also sought compensation, claiming the incident caused mental distress and harmed his reputation.

Police have urged the public to remain cautious of unsolicited online video-call offers and fake social media profiles. They also advised victims of sextortion to report such incidents immediately to the Cyber Bureau or the nearest police office rather than giving in to blackmail.

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