Police Arrest 7, Including 6 Indians, in Kathmandu for Alleged Travel Agency Fraud

Police have arrested seven individuals, including six Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, for allegedly defrauding people through a travel agency named Shreetel Holidays located in Thapagaun, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-10.

The accused allegedly defrauded the public by presenting 'package offers' to send tourists to 175 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. A team from the Valley Crime Investigation Office raided the travel agency's office in Thapagaun on Chaitra 3 and arrested the suspects.

Those arrested include 26-year-old Bibek Regmi from Kanchanrup, Saptari, and Indian nationals 39-year-old Husen Sayed, 44-year-old Sajid Omar Sayed, 34-year-old Mohammad Imran, 33-year-old Mir Khalid Husen, 40-year-old Razak Mohammad, and 42-year-old Samada Giri. All suspects except Bibek Regmi are Indian citizens.

SP Manohar Bhatta of the Valley Crime Investigation Office told Ratopati that investigations revealed the accused collected 27.2 million rupees. The individuals involved in the fraud set up 'travel desks' in shopping malls across the Kathmandu Valley and asked shoppers to fill out forms. After collecting the details of those wishing to travel, they would inform them about the package offers.

They would tell the general public regarding the 175-country package offer, saying, 'There is no cost for food and lodging; you will be notified when you win the lottery.'

Subsequently, they would call the victims to inform them they had won the lottery and summon them to the travel agency's office. SP Bhatta informed that after calling them to the travel agency office in Thapagaun, they would show packages ranging from 7 days, 10 days, up to 5 years, compel them to deposit money, and then defraud them by failing to fulfill the terms of the agreement.

It was found that the travel agency was operating without government approval. SP Bhatta stated that the accused have been sent to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, for further investigation and action. A total of 328 victims have filed complaints against the accused with the police.