453 Nepalis Rescued from India Networking Scam

A total of 453 Nepali nationals have been rescued from various locations in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, in connection with a suspected illegal networking business operation.

The rescued individuals have been brought to the District Police Office in Rupandehi, where authorities have begun investigations to determine whether they were victims or directly involved in the operation.

The rescue was carried out with the coordination and initiative of the Embassy of Nepal in India, in collaboration with Indian security agencies and Nepali police.

Officials from the Nepali Embassy also arrived in Rupandehi along with the rescued individuals.

According to Nepal Police SSP Prakash Malla, who serves as Counsellor for Public Affairs at the embassy, the rescue operation was conducted after six months of study and coordination with police in Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar and Nepal’s Lumbini Province.

Police said investigations began on Saturday afternoon after the individuals were transported directly to the District Police Office in eight buses from India through the Belahiya border point.

Authorities are currently screening the rescued individuals to identify possible victims and perpetrators.

Police said victims would be handed over to their families, while further investigation would continue against those found involved in the operation.

Preliminary findings suggest the group lured Nepalis with promises of attractive jobs and transported them via Sunauli to Kushinagar, where they were allegedly forced into a networking-style scheme.

The racket is believed to have collected amounts ranging from INR 7,000 to INR 100,000 per person while expanding its membership network.