A young man from Nepal has been arrested for tricking someone into going to Cambodia with the promise of a high-paying job and forcing him into cyber labor.
Fake Job Offer of NPR 1.5 Lakh per Month
Sandesh Shahi, a 22-year-old man originally from Kailali and currently living in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu, has been arrested by the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau. According to the bureau’s spokesperson, Superintendent Narendra Kunwar, the arrest was made after a complaint was filed by a 26-year-old victim.
Victim Was Promised an Online Job in Cambodia
Shahi had lured the victim with the promise of an online job in Cambodia that would pay NPR 100,000 to 150,000 per month. Tempted by this offer, the young man agreed to travel abroad.
Journey Through India and Malaysia to Cambodia
On Magh 16, 2081 (early 2025), Shahi took the victim through Nepalgunj border to Lucknow, India. From there, the victim was flown to Cambodia via a transit in Malaysia.
Forced to Work in Illegal Chinese-Run Company
Once in Cambodia, the victim was handed over to an illegal company reportedly run by Chinese nationals. Instead of the promised job, he was held captive and forced to work in cryptocurrency scams.
Made to Act as a Girl and Scam Indian Victims
The victim claimed he was forced to pretend to be a girl and convince Indian citizens to invest in Bitcoin. He had a target to earn INR 2 million (NPR 3.2 million) per month. To meet this goal, he had to work 13 to 15 hours every day.
Trapped in Cyber Slavery and Forced Labor
The victim stated that he was used to scam others online, making him a victim of cyber slavery and labor exploitation. Based on his complaint, the authorities launched an investigation and arrested Shahi.
Only One Victim Identified So Far
So far, only one victim has officially come forward. “We arrested the suspect based on the complaint filed,” said SP Kunwar. Authorities are also investigating whether Shahi is connected to other individuals in Nepal or abroad.
Further Investigation Underway
It is still unknown how much money Shahi received for sending the victim to Cambodia or how the victim managed to escape. The Kathmandu District Court has given five days’ custody permission for further investigation.
