Two Men Arrested in Kathmandu for Alleged Hawala and Crypto Transactions; NPR 11.6 Million Seized

Police are investigating two young men from Bhimdhunga, Ward No. 8 of Nagarjun Municipality, Kathmandu. Sagar Giri, 28, and Pramod Prasad Dhital, 28, both from Bhimdhunga, were arrested on Chaitra 2.

They are accused of involvement in hawala (illegal money transfer) and cryptocurrency trading. The Kathmandu District Police Range team recovered NPR 11.6 million in cash from the residences of the accused.

The recovered amount was earned by the accused through crypto trading and transferred to their bank accounts before being withdrawn, SP Pawan Bhattarai of the Kathmandu District Police Range told Ratopati.

Two Hawala Traders Arrested with NPR 11.6 Million in Cash

Police investigation revealed that the accused duo were also involved in cryptocurrency trading. Based on the laptops, mobile phones, and bank statements examined, it was found that they had conducted cryptocurrency transactions worth NPR 209.6 million, SP Bhattarai informed. He stated, 'Transactions worth NPR 209.6 million have been seen in the accounts of the accused.' The police investigation concludes that this amount was transacted via crypto.

According to the police, a 'Binance' account was found opened on Pramod's mobile phone. Officials involved in the investigation stated that crypto trading is conducted through Binance accounts.

The accused were found to be conducting transactions through seven to eight purchased eSewa accounts. According to SP Bhattarai, they purchased these accounts via the dark web. The police have written to eSewa requesting definitive details about these accounts. They were conducting transactions through six bank accounts.

Both accused have studied up to the 10th grade. SP Bhattarai shared that their mobile phones have been sent to the Police Headquarters for forensic testing.