NRB warns of scams involving PM’s Disaster Relief Fund

Nepal Rastra Bank has warned people donating to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund not to trust payment details circulating through unofficial channels.

The central bank said scammers have used fake bank accounts and QR codes in unauthorised fundraising efforts linked to the fund. It advised donors to obtain account numbers and QR codes only from official sources.

Before transferring money through mobile banking, digital wallets, ConnectIPS or another payment platform, donors should verify the account name, enter the intended amount carefully and check the transaction before confirming it. The bank also cautioned against scanning QR codes shared through social media, email or messaging applications.

Official fund details are available on the websites of Nepal Rastra Bank, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Finance. The bank said donors should never share one-time passwords, PINs or passwords with anyone.

Anyone who believes they have been defrauded should immediately notify their bank or financial institution, payment service provider, the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau or Nepal Rastra Bank’s Financial Consumer Protection Unit.