Scammers try to extort money from relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal, police warn

Latvian police have received reports that scammers are targeting relatives of Latvian citizens missing in Nepal. The suspects allegedly offer paid meetings, promise help and claim to have the latest information about identifying or finding the missing people.

Police also said some offers include clairvoyant services. They warned relatives not to pay and urged them to rely on announcements from Latvia’s Foreign Ministry for accurate, current information.

"Communication and practical assistance from state and municipal institutions to relatives in this situation are direct and unmediated, and absolutely no fee is charged for them," the police said on X. They asked anyone who sees or receives such paid offers to report them to the State Police.

The warning follows a statement from Foreign Ministry Consular Department director Edīte Medne that no new information had come from Nepal about the Latvian nationals on Monday or Tuesday. By Monday, 30 blood relatives of people missing in Nepal had submitted DNA samples to Latvian police, and the process was continuing.

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Communication and practical assistance from state and municipal institutions to relatives in this situation are direct and unmediated, and absolutely no fee is charged for them. To obtain accurate and reliable current information, we ask you to follow the Foreign Ministry’s announcements. If you see or receive such paid offers, please report them to the State Police.