Cyber Crime in Nepal – Types, Real Cases & How to Stay Safe in 2025 🔐

 Cyber Crime in Nepal: A Detailed Analysis

Cybercrime has become one of the most pressing issues in Nepal as digital technology and internet usage rapidly expand. This article examines the current landscape of cybercrime in Nepal, its types, causes, legal framework, challenges, and preventive measures, providing a comprehensive understanding of this growing threat.

🛡️ What is Cyber Crime?

Cybercrime refers to illegal activities conducted using computers, mobile devices, or the internet. It involves offenses such as hacking, online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, ransomware attacks, and distribution of obscene content. These crimes affect individuals, businesses, and government institutions, threatening privacy, security, and economic stability.  Cyber Crime refers to any criminal activity that involves a computer, smartphone, or the internet. It ranges from hacking and data theft to online scams and social media abuse.

📌 It can happen silently, without the victim even realizing it.

📈 Rising Trend of Cyber Crime in Nepal

• In the fiscal year 2023-24, Nepal recorded 19,730 cybercrime complaints, more than double the 9,013 cases reported in 2022-23.

·       Cybercrimes in Nepal have been rising rapidly. According to Nepal Police's Cyber Bureau, over 22,000 online complaints were recorded in 2024 alone.

·       📈 Facebook hacking, TikTok misuse, mobile banking frauds, and fake offers have become common issues.

1. Women and teenagers are more often targets of online harassment.
2. Website hacking attempts on banks and government sites are increasing.
3. Fraud using eSewa, Khalti login, and mobile OTPs is also growing.

• In the first seven months of fiscal year 2024-25 alone, 10,702 complaints were registered, indicating a continuing upward trend.
• 🔒 Hacking cases constitute approximately 52% of all cybercrime reports, making it the most prevalent type of cybercrime.
• 🔒 Online fraud cases numbered 4,112, accounting for about 20% of total cybercrime incidents.
• The total amount lost to online scams in just six months of 2024-25 is estimated at NPR 62 crore (620 million rupees), according to Nepal Police Cyber Bureau.

This surge reflects Nepal’s increasing digital dependency but also highlights insufficient preparedness to effectively combat cyber threats.

🕵️‍♂️ Major Types of Cyber Crime in Nepal

1.     🔒 Online Fraud: This includes phishing scams, fake online stores, fraudulent job offers, and lottery scams. Criminals lure victims into sharing personal information or transferring money.

2.  🔒 Hacking: Unauthorized access to government, banking, and private sector networks to steal data or disrupt services.

3.  🔒 Identity Theft: Stealing personal information such as national IDs, bank details, or social media profiles to commit fraud.

4.  🔒 Cyberbullying & Online Harassment: Threats, defamation, spreading misinformation, often targeting women and children.

5.  🔒 Publishing Obscene Content: Creating or distributing manipulated photos/videos for blackmail or harassment.

6.  🔒 Ransomware Attacks: Locking victims’ data and demanding ransom payments.

7.   🔒 Online Gambling & Child Exploitation: Illegal gambling and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

8.  🔒 Social Media Crimes: Fake profiles, impersonation, spreading hate speech, misinformation, and online blackmail.

9.  📲 Mobile Banking Fraud

👉 Scammers trick users into sharing OTPs and hack mobile wallets.

📌 They use fake apps or messages to gain login info.

10.🧑‍💻 Cyber Bullying & Harassment

👉 Harassing people online with threats, fake profiles, or obscene messages.

        📌 Mostly affects girls and women in Nepal.

11.     💻 Social Media Hacking

      👉 Stealing Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts to access private data.

📞 What To Do If You're a Victim of Cyber Crime

If you are affected by a cybercrime, take these steps:

1.     📸 Collect screenshots or digital evidence.

2.  📞 Report to your nearest police station.

3.  🌐 File an online complaint via www.cyberbureau.gov.np

4.  📧 Email: np.cyberbureau@nepalpolice.gov.np

📌 Acting quickly is key to preventing further harm.

🧠 10 Tips to Stay Safe from Cyber Crime

1. 🔐 Use Strong & Unique Passwords

Avoid using common passwords like 123456 or your name + birth year.

2. 🛡️ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

👉 Mandatory for eSewa, Gmail, Facebook, etc.

3. 📩 Do Not Click Unknown Links or Attachments

4. 🧹 Install Antivirus & Anti-Malware Protection

5. 📶 Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Online Banking

6. 👁️‍🗨️ Review Your Social Media Privacy Settings

7. 🧾 Never Share OTPs Over Phone or SMS

8. 💳 Verify Before Sending Money Online

9. 👨‍👩‍👧 Educate Your Friends & Family on Online Safety

👉 Awareness is the strongest weapon against cyber attacks.

10. 🚨 Report Immediately to Cyber Bureau

📚 Cyber Laws in Nepal

Cyber Crimes in Nepal are mainly governed by the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 (ETA).

📜 Sections 47–52 cover different cyber offenses and penalties.

✅ Offenders can be punished with up to 3 years of jail or Rs. 200,000 fine, or both.
✅ Cyber Bureau, Nepal Police handles investigations of major cyber crimes.

⚖️ Real Cyber Crime Cases in Nepal

🔸 In 2022, a young man hacked over 300 women's Facebook accounts and blackmailed them.
🔸 In 2023, Rs. 50 lakhs were stolen using fake eSewa login pages.
🔸 In 2024, a Nepali celebrity’s TikTok account was hacked, and vulgar content posted.

📌 These events highlight the importance of online safety and quick response.

👮‍♂️ Who Handles Cyber Crime Cases in Nepal?

Cyber Crime is mainly handled by:

🏢 Cyber Bureau – Nepal Police

• 📍 Location: Bhotahity, Kathmandu
• 📞 Hotline: 01-4415735
• 🌐 Website: cyberbureau.gov.np

🌐 Platforms Most Targeted by Cybercriminals

• Facebook (including Messenger): 16,096 complaints
• TikTok: 981 complaints
• WhatsApp: 15 complaints
• Instagram: 69 complaints
• eSewa (online payment platform): 376 complaints
• Telegram: Increasingly used for scams and frauds

Social media platforms are the primary battlegrounds for cybercrime due to their massive user bases and ease of access.

👥 Victim Demographics

• Men: 8,745 victims
• Women: 9,583 victims
• Boys: 382 victims
• Girls: 253 victims
• LGBTQI+ community: 767 victims

Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by cyber harassment and abuse. The age group most affected is between 26 and 35 years, followed by 16 to 25 years and 36 to 45 years.

⚖️ Legal Framework in Nepal

Nepal has enacted several laws to address cybercrime:

• Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 (2006): Covers unauthorized access, data theft, online fraud, and obscene content.
• Muluki Penal Code, 2074 (2017): Contains provisions for cyber offenses including privacy violations and cyber harassment.
• Individual Privacy Act, 2018: Protects personal data and privacy.
• Children’s Act, 1992: Addresses cyber offenses against children.
• Copyright Act, 2002: Protects digital content against piracy and misuse.
• Information Technology and Cyber Security Bill, 2082 (2025): Introduces tougher penalties, including up to 5 years imprisonment and fines up to NPR 10 lakh for serious cyber offenses such as disrupting national cyber infrastructure, AI misuse, and IoT attacks.

🔒 Punishments include:

• Up to 3 years imprisonment or fines for unauthorized access and data tampering.
• Up to 5 years imprisonment for publishing obscene content.
• Fines and imprisonment for online fraud and cyber harassment.
• Enhanced penalties for crimes involving artificial intelligence misuse and attacks on critical infrastructure.

Despite these laws, enforcement remains a challenge due to limited resources and technical expertise.

🛡️ Government and Law Enforcement Efforts

• The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police is the primary agency investigating cybercrime, handling thousands of complaints annually.
• The bureau has recovered over NPR 4.5 crore lost to online financial frauds.
• However, only 52 cases have been formally filed in courts this fiscal year, highlighting difficulties in prosecution.
• The government is working to improve the legal framework and increase public awareness through campaigns and training.
• Collaboration between law enforcement, tech companies, and international agencies is being strengthened to counter transnational cybercrime.

🔑 Key Challenges

• Limited technical capacity: Only a small number of IT experts are available in the Cyber Bureau.
• Difficulty in identifying perpetrators: Many cybercriminals operate from outside Nepal, complicating investigations.
• Slow legal processes: The gap between complaints and prosecutions is wide.
• Lack of public awareness: Many victims do not report crimes due to stigma or ignorance.
• Rapidly evolving technology: Criminals use AI, encryption, and new tools to evade detection.

🔒 Prevention and Safety Measures

• 🔒 Use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly.
• 🔒 Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts.
• 🔒 Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments in emails and messages.
• 🔒 Keep software and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
• 🔒 Adjust privacy settings on social media to limit personal data exposure.
• 🔒 Use antivirus and firewall protections on devices.
• 🔒 Be cautious while sharing personal information online.
• 🔒 Educate children and vulnerable groups about online safety.
• 🔒 Report cybercrime incidents immediately to authorities.

🌍 International Context and Cooperation

• Cybercrime transcends borders, and many perpetrators are based overseas.
• Nepal is collaborating with international agencies like INTERPOL and neighboring countries to track and prosecute cybercriminals.
• Global cooperation is essential to tackle sophisticated cybercrime networks and financial frauds involving cryptocurrencies and money laundering.

📊 Statistical Overview (2019-2025)

Year	Cases Registered	Online Fraud Cases	Hacking Cases (approx.)
2018-19	2,300	N/A	N/A
2022-23	9,013	1,835	~4,687 (52%)
2023-24	19,730	4,112	~10,260 (52%)
2024-25 (7 months)	10,702	N/A	N/A

💡 Conclusion: Stay Informed, Stay Protected

Cybercrime in Nepal is a rapidly growing threat that impacts individuals, businesses, and government institutions alike. The surge in cases demands urgent action in terms of legal reform, technical capacity building, and public awareness. Technology is a gift, but it also brings risks. Every internet user in Nepal – student, office worker, or homemaker – must be aware of cyber threats.

Key takeaways:

• 🔒 Cybercrime cases are rising exponentially, with hacking and online fraud leading.
• 🔒 Social media platforms are the primary targets.
• 🔒 Women and marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable.
• 🔒 Nepal has a legal framework but faces enforcement challenges.
• 🔒 Prevention through education, technology use, and reporting is critical.
• 🔒 International cooperation is vital for effective cybercrime control.

Only through a combined effort of government, law enforcement, private sector, and citizens can Nepal build a safer digital environment.

✅ Let’s use the internet smartly and safely.
📌 Don’t be the next victim. Be aware. Be alert. Be secure

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