KATHMANDU, Nepal — The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested 52 people, including six Chinese nationals, in connection with an elaborate online scam involving a dating app and illegal cryptocurrency trading, officials announced Wednesday.
The suspects operated out of two rented homes in Damkal Chowk, Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward 4, and Chagal, Kathmandu Metropolitan-13. They had established a business named Social Software Development Company Pvt Ltd to mask their illicit activities, according to a CIB press release.
Authorities say the group ran a fake call center and used a dating app called METOO Dating App to lure young Nepali women into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. The suspects created fake online dating profiles and promised high returns on unregulated digital currency investments, deceiving victims and stealing money.
The six Chinese nationals—Zhang Lun (29), Chen Jiahao (27), Lin De (41), Xu Zheng (32), Liu Zexuan (30), and Xu Linghua (33)—are identified as key masterminds and face charges related to digital currency violations under Nepali law. Investigations continue into the remaining 46 Nepali suspects.
Police seized nearly Rs13,999,950 in cash, along with 54 mobile phones and seven laptops believed to have been used in the operation.
Superintendent of Police Yuvaraj Khadka, spokesperson for the CIB, described the operation as “well-organized” with the intent to exploit individuals through technology and social manipulation.
The CIB cautions the public to remain vigilant and avoid participation in suspicious or unregulated digital platforms, especially those involving online dating and cryptocurrency trading.
