Gang arrested for impersonating DishHome staff to defraud customers

Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has apprehended a gang for impersonating DishHome employees to defraud the public. Police arrested 22-year-old Aarti Sinkhada from Dhading, 22-year-old Bishnu Karki from Dolakha, and 47-year-old Asal Singh Tamang from Ramechhap in Tokha, Kathmandu, for extorting money from customers under the guise of special offers.

The gang was found to be calling regular DishHome customers, deceiving them with promises of a 'four-month bonus recharge upon purchasing a one-year recharge.' To gain the trust of customers, they even used fake receipts and stamps.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the mastermind, Aarti Sinkhada, had worked for a DishHome sub-dealer and internet service provider for about four years. Police claim she used the details of old customers she had acquired during that time to run this fraudulent operation.

Police recovered a stamp of Techni Impex Pvt. Ltd., receipt pads, a fake ID card in Aarti Sinkhada's name, and a diary containing customer accounts from them.

Investigations show that Aarti used to have money deposited into her own and her husband's eSewa, Khalti, and bank accounts. It has also been confirmed that the receipts and stamps she used were forged at an art shop in Gongabu.

According to preliminary investigations, this gang has defrauded more than 364 people so far. They have been found to have extorted over 2.9 million rupees from the public.

So far, only seven victims have filed formal complaints at the office, while other victims are continuing to come forward. Police also discovered that 86 DishHome accounts were opened using Aarti's own number. The arrested individuals have been sent to the District Police Range, Bhadrakali, for further investigation and action.

Meanwhile, DishHome has stated that the individuals were successfully arrested due to the company's vigilance and monitoring.

Based on regular field monitoring, internal reviews, and complaints and feedback received from customers, the company discovered that some individuals were using the DishHome name to deceive customers and extort money.

Taking the matter seriously, the company conducted internal fact-gathering and preliminary studies. The company stated that after providing the gathered details and evidence to the relevant authorities in a timely manner, the police were able to proceed with the investigation and successfully arrest the individuals involved.