How to Report Cyber Fraud in Nepal

Understanding Cyber Fraud in Nepal

Common Types of Cyber Fraud

Before reporting cyber fraud, it’s important to understand the various forms it can take in the Nepalese context:

Financial Fraud

Unauthorized bank transactions
Credit/debit card fraud
Mobile banking fraud
E-Sewa, Khalti, or other digital wallet scams

Identity Theft

Impersonation on social media
Creation of fake profiles
Unauthorized access to personal accounts
Document forgery using stolen identification

Online Scams

Fake job offers and recruitment scams
Lottery or prize winning notifications
Fake shopping websites
Investment scams promising high returns

Cyber Fraud Statistics in Nepal

Cyber fraud has been increasing at an alarming rate in Nepal:

The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau reported over 2,100 cybercrime complaints in 2024 alone
Financial fraud accounts for approximately 60% of all reported cyber fraud cases
Social media-related crimes increased by 35% in the last year
An estimated 70% of cyber fraud cases go unreported due to lack of awareness

Immediate Steps After Discovering Cyber Fraud

1

Document Everything

As soon as you discover the fraud, document all evidence:

Take screenshots of suspicious messages, emails, or websites
Save transaction details and receipts
Note down timestamps and sequence of events
Record any phone numbers or email addresses associated with the fraud

2

Secure Your Accounts

Take immediate steps to secure your compromised accounts:

Change passwords for all affected accounts
Enable two-factor authentication where available
Log out from all devices
Review and revoke any suspicious permissions or connected apps

3

Report to the Service Provider

Contact the relevant service provider immediately:

For bank fraud: Contact your bank’s customer service and request a card block
For e-wallet fraud: Contact the service provider (e-Sewa, Khalti, etc.)
For social media: Report the incident through the platform’s reporting mechanism
For telecommunication fraud: Contact your mobile service provider

Official Channels for Reporting Cyber Fraud in Nepal

Nepal Police Cyber Bureau

The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police is the primary agency for handling cybercrime in Nepal.

Contact Information:

Location: Bhotahiti, Kathmandu
Phone: 01-4201145 / 01-4201946
Email: complaint@nepalpolice.gov.np or info@cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np
Website: www.nepalpolice.gov.np/cyber-bureau

Reporting Process:

File a written complaint at the Cyber Bureau office in Kathmandu
Alternatively, email your complaint with all evidence attached
For urgent cases, you can call their hotline number
Be prepared to provide all documentation and evidence of the fraud

Online Reporting Portal

The Nepal Police has an online portal for reporting cybercrimes:

Steps to Report Online:

Visit the official Nepal Police website or directly go to report.nepalpolice.gov.np
Select “Cybercrime” from the categories of complaints
Fill in your personal details and contact information
Provide a detailed description of the incident
Upload supporting evidence (screenshots, documents, etc.)
Submit the form and note down the complaint reference number

Local Police Stations

If you cannot reach the Cyber Bureau, you can report to your local police station:

Visit your nearest police station with all evidence
File a First Information Report (FIR) detailing the cyber fraud
Request that your case be forwarded to the Cyber Bureau
Follow up regularly on the progress of your complaint

Preparing a Strong Cyber Fraud Complaint

Essential Information to Include

A well-documented complaint increases the chances of a successful investigation:


SAMPLE COMPLAINT FORMAT

To,
The Chief,
Nepal Police Cyber Bureau,
Bhotahiti, Kathmandu.

Subject: Complaint Regarding [Type of Cyber Fraud]

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], a resident of [Your Address], with citizenship number [Your Citizenship Number] and contact number [Your Phone Number], would like to report a cybercrime that I have fallen victim to.

Incident Details:
- Date and time of the incident: [Date & Time]
- Type of cybercrime: [Specify the type]
- Platform/website/application involved: [Name]
- Financial loss (if any): NPR [Amount]
- Suspected perpetrator details (if known): [Name/Username/Contact]

Sequence of Events:
[Provide a chronological account of what happened]

Evidence Attached:
1. Screenshots of fraudulent messages/websites
2. Transaction receipts/details
3. Communication records
4. [Any other relevant evidence]

I request you to investigate this matter and take appropriate action against the perpetrator(s).

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Date]

Documentation Checklist

Ensure you have the following documents when filing a complaint:

Copy of citizenship or identification document

Detailed written complaint

Screenshots or printouts of all evidence

Transaction statements (for financial fraud)

Communication records with the fraudster

Original receipts or invoices (if available)

Legal Framework for Cyber Fraud in Nepal

Electronic Transaction Act (ETA)

The primary legislation governing cybercrimes in Nepal is the Electronic Transaction Act (ETA) 2063 (2008).

Key Provisions:

Section 44: Prohibits unauthorized access to computer materials
Section 45: Addresses computer-related fraud
Section 46: Covers aspects of data privacy and confidentiality
Section 47: Deals with the publication of illegal materials online
Section 48: Addresses destruction of or damage to computer systems

Penalties:

Depending on the nature of the cybercrime, penalties under the ETA can include:

Imprisonment up to 5 years
Fines up to NPR 200,000
Both imprisonment and fines in serious cases

Preventing Cyber Fraud in Nepal

🔒

Secure Your Devices

Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts
Enable two-factor authentication
Keep operating systems and applications updated
Install reputable antivirus software

🛡️

Be Cautious Online

Don’t click on suspicious links in emails or messages
Verify the authenticity of websites before providing information
Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true
Check website URLs for HTTPS and security certificates

💰

Financial Safety

Regularly monitor your bank statements
Use secure payment methods for online transactions
Never share OTPs or banking credentials
Set up transaction alerts for your accounts

📱

Social Media Safety

Review privacy settings on all social platforms
Limit the personal information you share online
Be cautious of friend/connection requests from unknown people
Regularly review connected apps and permissions

Real Case Studies: Cyber Fraud in Nepal

Case Study 1: Banking Fraud

Scenario: A Kathmandu resident received an SMS appearing to be from his bank, asking him to update his KYC details through a provided link. After entering his credentials, NPR 45,000 was withdrawn from his account within minutes.

Action Taken: The victim immediately contacted his bank and the Cyber Bureau. He provided screenshots of the SMS and the fraudulent website. The transaction was traced, and the Bureau was able to freeze the receiving account.

Outcome: The fraudster was identified within a week. The victim recovered 80% of his money, and the perpetrator was charged under Section 45 of the Electronic Transaction Act.

Case Study 2: Social Media Impersonation

Scenario: A Pokhara-based business owner discovered a fake Facebook page using her business name and photos. The impostor was collecting advance payments for products that were never delivered.

Action Taken: The business owner reported the page to Facebook and filed a complaint with the Cyber Bureau with screenshots of the fake page and customer complaints.

Outcome: The fake page was taken down. Through digital forensics, the authorities traced the perpetrator, who was subsequently charged with fraud and impersonation.

Conclusion

Cyber fraud is a growing concern in Nepal, but knowing how to report and respond to such incidents is crucial for protecting yourself and others. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can help authorities combat cybercrime effectively.

Remember that timely reporting is essential. The sooner you report cyber fraud, the better the chances of recovering your assets and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Stay Informed

Keep yourself updated about the latest cybercrime trends and prevention techniques.

Spread Awareness

Share your knowledge with friends and family to help them stay safe online.

Report Promptly

Don’t hesitate to report even minor incidents, as they may be part of larger fraud schemes.

Have you ever experienced cyber fraud in Nepal? How did you handle it? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others learn from your situation.