The use of social media platforms like Telegram to scam Nepali youth by luring them with fake job offers has come to light. The Central Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police has uncovered a scheme where scammers send links claiming to offer job opportunities. Once the victims click on these links, they are directed to open bank accounts, which are then exploited for fraudulent activities.
The investigation revealed that hackers targeted the system of F1 Soft, a leading fintech company in Nepal, and stole over 3.5 crore Nepalese rupees from Citizens Bank accounts. The hackers used Telegram to connect with Nepali youth, offering them fake online jobs and convincing them to open bank accounts. These accounts were then used to transfer stolen funds.
The scammers targeted unemployed youth, promising them easy money through online jobs. Messages like “Free online job, earn money from home. Are you interested in this job?” were sent to lure victims. Many young people, desperate for employment, fell for these scams and agreed to participate.
One such victim, 21-year-old Krishna Raman Raut from Saptari, was approached through Telegram with a job offer. The scammers promised him a daily salary for working online from 8 AM to 9 PM. Raut provided his bank account details, and soon after, 3 lakh rupees were deposited into his account. The scammers then instructed him to transfer the money to another account using a QR code. Raut transferred 2 lakh 94 thousand rupees to two accounts in Laxmi Bank, keeping 4 thousand rupees as commission for himself.
The hackers exploited F1 Soft’s system to access Citizens Bank accounts and siphon off the funds. Over four days, from October 1 to October 4, 2024, a total of 3 crore 51 lakh 50 thousand 370 rupees were stolen from F1 Soft’s accounts.
The investigation also revealed that the scammers targeted unemployed youth, many of whom were under 30 years old. Out of the nine individuals arrested, eight were young people below the age of 30. The scammers used social engineering tactics to manipulate these youths into participating in the fraud.
The police have identified several key suspects, including Rahul Thakur, a 20-year-old from Siraha, and Purushottam Sah, a 19-year-old from the same area. Other suspects include Sanjiv Kumar Sharma, a 30-year-old from Rajbiraj, and Kamal Thapa Magar, a 20-year-old from Udaypur. The police are still searching for 15 other suspects, most of whom are also young people under the age of 26.
The scammers transferred large sums of money to various accounts, with one account receiving as much as 80 lakh rupees. The police have seized devices used in the scam and sent them for forensic analysis. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the forensic reports come in.
F1 Soft’s Group Executive Director, Suwas Sharma, has stated that they are also victims of the scam and have filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). He emphasized that F1 Soft had handed over the banking software to Citizens Bank four years ago and is no longer responsible for its security.
Cybersecurity experts have warned that the increasing use of digital banking and online transactions has made the financial sector more vulnerable to cyberattacks. They stress the importance of regular cybersecurity audits and awareness programs for both bank employees and customers to prevent such incidents in the future.
The experts also highlighted the role of social engineering in these scams, where hackers manipulate individuals into revealing sensitive information. They urge the public to be cautious about sharing personal information online and to verify the authenticity of job offers and other opportunities before engaging with them.
In conclusion, the recent scam involving Nepali youth and the theft of millions of rupees from bank accounts underscores the need for greater cybersecurity measures and public awareness to protect against such fraudulent activities.
