Nepal Police Warn of Scams Targeting Flood Relief Donors

The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has issued a stern warning to the public, urging them to exercise caution regarding potential scams aimed at exploiting the generosity of those wishing to support victims of the recent Bhotekoshi River flooding in Rasuwa.

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The bureau warned that individuals with malicious intentions could misuse social media and other digital platforms to defraud people and misappropriate public donations during this sensitive period.

Authorities are concerned that individuals with malicious intent may leverage social media and other digital platforms to defraud unsuspecting donors. These scams could involve soliciting funds through personal bank accounts or e-wallets, falsely claiming to represent official entities like the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. Fake QR codes mimicking official agency logos and formats are also a potential threat.

The bureau highlighted other deceptive tactics, including the creation of fake social media pages and groups on platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram under the guise of "relief funds" or "support campaigns." Additionally, the public should be wary of unsolicited phone calls requesting personal and banking details for "relief assistance registration," phishing links designed to steal sensitive information, and messages from unknown numbers pleading for money.

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The police have also warned the public to be cautious of fake pages or groups created on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and Viber in the name of different “relief funds” or “support campaigns.”

To combat these fraudulent activities, the Cyber Bureau strongly encourages anyone who suspects a scam related to disaster relief to report it immediately to the nearest police office or the Cyber Bureau itself. This proactive measure aims to protect public donations and ensure they reach those genuinely in need.

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The Cyber Bureau has urged anyone who suspects that an individual or group is conducting or attempting to conduct a scam in the name of disaster relief to immediately contact the nearest police office or the Cyber Bureau.