Two Arrested in Kathmandu for Rs 110M UK Job Scam

KATHMANDU, JUNE 10

In a major crackdown on foreign employment fraud, police have Two Arrested in Kathmandu for Rs 110M UK Job Scam from 38 people. The victims were lured with false promises of lucrative job placements in the United Kingdom, highlighting a growing trend of organized scams targeting job seeking Nepali citizens.

The suspects have been identified as Laxman Parajuli, aged 44, a permanent resident of Ratuwamai Municipality-10 in Morang, and Arun Raj Sharma, aged 47, originally from Sabela Municipality-12 in Dhanusha. Both were residing in Kathmandu at the time of arrest, Parajuli in Saraswati Nagar, Kathmandu-6, and Sharma in Narephant, Kathmandu-32.

The arrests were made after a formal complaint was filed by Mahesh Limbu at the Department of Foreign Employment “DoFE”. Based on the complaint, a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office launched an operation and detained the suspects from the Narephant area on Sunday.

According to police reports, the two had allegedly amassed a total of Rs 110,697,000 by collecting money from 38 individuals. They had promised their victims secure and well paying jobs in the UK, assuring visa processing, airfare, accommodation, and legal documentation. In reality, none of the promised arrangements existed, and the job offers were completely fabricated.

The suspects have been handed over to the Department of Foreign Employment, Tahachal for further investigation and legal proceedings. Authorities are now working to identify additional victims and uncover any accomplices who may have helped facilitate the fraud.

With rising unemployment and limited domestic opportunities, many Nepalis continue to seek employment overseas, particularly in countries like the UK, Australia, Gulf nations, and Southeast Asia. This demand has unfortunately given rise to fraudulent agents and fake recruitment rackets.

Nepal has thousands of citizens migrating for work each year, often paying large sums to recruitment agencies or brokers. Scammers typically exploit this desperation by presenting themselves as representatives of foreign companies or travel agencies, offering unrealistic salaries and fast track processing. In many cases, job seekers end up losing life savings or taking loans they cannot repay.

The case falls under Nepal’s Foreign Employment Act, 2064 (2007), which aims to regulate labor migration and safeguard workers’ rights. If found guilty, the accused could face heavy fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of illicit earnings.

The Department of Foreign Employment has urged the public to use only registered manpower agencies and verify job offers through official platforms. The DoFE website provides updated lists of licensed agencies and public notices regarding fraudulent activities.

Victims of foreign employment fraud can lodge complaints at the DoFE, police stations, or through local government offices. The government also runs awareness campaigns to educate job seekers about safe migration practices and warning signs of scams.

Authorities advise the public to be cautious of the following red flags

• Unlicensed agents offering jobs abroad
• No official receipts for payments made
• Unrealistically high salaries with minimal requirements
• Promises of fast visa approvals without interviews
• Pressuring victims to pay large sums upfront

By staying informed and verifying employment offers through legal channels, Nepali citizens can protect themselves from financial and emotional harm.

As investigations into this case continue, the police have encouraged any additional victims to come forward. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in pursuing foreign employment opportunities.