The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested 21 people for allegedly carrying out illegal financial transactions totaling over Rs 17.86 billion.
In a statement released on Monday, the CIB said the arrests were made in 11 different districts.
Those arrested include:
- Birendra Prasad Sah and Dipendra Prasad Sah from Morang
- Shrawan Kumar Sah from Mahottari
- Taralal Yadav from Saptari
- Hareram Mahato from Sarlahi
- Niroj Kumar Mahato, Alita Devi Mahato, Prakash Singh, and Arun Kumar from Dhanusha
- Pradip Kumar Sah from Parsa
- Sanjib Kumar Mahato from Dhanusa
- Raj Kamal Loniya and Bhim Kumari Gurung from Nawalparasi
- RamBilas Sah Teli and Mamata Kumari Sah from Saptari
- Bikarna Jung Rana from Parsa
- Ganapati Pandey from Nawalparasi
- Salma Khatun from Birgunj
- Sushila Kumari Kahu from Saptari
- Gobinda Prasad Acharya from Chitwan
- Shambhu Mehta from Saptari
According to CIB, these individuals and groups blocked the regular flow of remittance money from abroad and instead used the name of “internal remittance” to run illegal businesses. These activities include smuggling goods to avoid customs, illegal gold trading, and tax evasion.
The CIB added that the illegally earned money was deposited in bank accounts in Nepal using digital wallets like Sajilo Pay and Paywell Nepal Pvt. Ltd. For this, they used “money mules” — people who helped move the money.
CIB said that since these actions go against the rules and orders issued by Nepal Rastra Bank, the suspects are being investigated under the Nepal Rastra Bank Act, 2058.
