Online Scams: When Clicks Become Costly
Nepal’s online scam problem isn’t growing quietly, it's exploding. This surge is not because scammers have suddenly become more intelligent, but because the rest of us rushed into digital life with too much confidence and far too little caution. As mobile banking and digital wallets like eSewa and Khalti became household names almost overnight, digital safety was conveniently ignored.The numbers paint a disturbing picture. According to reports from the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau, cybercrime cases peaked at a staggering 19,730 reported incidents in the 2023/24 fiscal year. The situation did not improve much afterward. In the following year (2024/25), authorities continued to record an average of 52 cybercrime cases every single day. This was nothing short of a digital gold rush for criminals.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Online scams in Nepal have evolved far beyond simple phone calls or suspicious SMS messages. Today, scammers operate like an organized industry, exploiting the very platforms we use daily for communication, entertainment, and financial transactions.
Financial fraud now dominates Nepal’s cybercrime landscape, accounting for over 40% of all reported cases. From fake investment schemes to fraudulent online purchases, money remains the primary target.
Social media platforms have become fertile hunting grounds. Facebook and Messenger alone account for roughly 72% of reported incidents, making them the most abused platforms in the country. Meanwhile, TikTok has witnessed an alarming 3,000% growth in criminal activity, and Telegram has emerged as a critical threat, frequently used for organized “task-based” scams and large-scale financial fraud.
There is also a clear gender divide in how scams affect victims. Men are more often targeted for financial fraud and fake investment schemes, while women and minors are disproportionately targeted for harassment, image morphing, and sextortion. This highlights how cybercrime is not just a financial issue, but a serious social one.
Precautions: How to Protect Your Digital Life
- If someone online offers easy money or creates a sudden emergency, they are not being kind—you are likely funding their next scam. Protecting yourself starts with practicing basic digital hygiene.
- Never pay an advance for any item—especially high-value electronics like iPhones—that you have not physically seen or verified. If you cannot touch it, don’t trust it.
- If a friend or family member asks for money through Messenger or social media, stop immediately. Call their actual SIM number to verify the request. Text messages and chat requests can easily be hijacked.
- Treat your OTP (One-Time Password) as sacred. An OTP is essentially the key to your bank account. No bank employee, digital wallet representative, customs officer, or police official will ever ask for it. If someone does, it is a scam—no exceptions.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious “lucky draw,” “survey,” or reward links sent through WhatsApp, Viber, or SMS. These links are often phishing traps designed to steal your login credentials.
- Finally, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all critical apps—Facebook, WhatsApp, email, and banking platforms. This extra layer of security can prevent scammers from accessing your accounts even if they obtain your password.
What To Do If You Are Scammed
- If you fall victim to an online scam, every second matters. Acting quickly can reduce losses and help authorities track the criminals.
- Immediately call 1111, the dedicated cybercrime reporting hotline. You should also contact the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau directly by visiting their office in Bhotahity, Kathmandu, or emailing [email protected].
- At the same time, notify your bank or digital wallet provider right away. If you have shared an OTP, password, or card details, request an immediate account or wallet block to prevent further damage.
- Online scams thrive on hesitation and silence. Awareness, quick action, and caution are your strongest defenses in Nepal’s rapidly growing digital world.
