Jun 01, Kathmandu - Authorities have apprehended 15 Bangladeshi nationals involved in suspicious activities in the Thamel area of Kathmandu. The crackdown was carried out based on credible intelligence indicating that the individuals were engaged in activities contrary to their visa purpose, including blackmailing through social media.

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office in Teku, acting on this information, detained the suspects. They entered Nepal on visit visas but reportedly engaged in illicit activities, using fake social media accounts featuring images of foreign models and young women to establish connections with Bangladeshi and Indian nationals, whom they then blackmailed for money.

The arrested individuals include: Md Mazidul Islam Radoy (25), Safiul Islam (22), Apan Chanda Sah (22), Abdulllah Al Zobair (26), Abul Hasnai (26), Al Sahariyar (24), Faisal (30), Azad Husen (25), Md Azmain (19), Md Taimim Hasan Saurav (20), Md Zakaria Jannat (20), Sakil Anwar (24), Harjot Bilal Rifat (21), Omit Hasan Shekat (25), and Md Imam Hasan Swadheen (30).

According to police, the suspects had rented rooms at a hotel in Pakanajol, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-16, where they operated their activities. The investigation revealed that they created fake Facebook accounts using photographs of foreign models and young women to connect with foreigners, then extorted money through various pretexts.

Superintendent Rameshwar Karki, spokesperson for the Crime Investigation Office, stated that all the arrested Bangladeshi nationals have been handed over to the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan for further investigation and action under the Immigration Act.