Seven Arrested in Human Trafficking and Extortion Ring Targeting Bangladeshi Nationals

A major crackdown has taken place on an organized crime syndicate engaged in human trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion targeting Bangladeshi citizens in Nepal. The group had been exploiting Nepal’s position as a ‘transit’ country, preying on vulnerable individuals with promises of better opportunities abroad, particularly in Europe and Asia.

Law enforcement authorities have successfully apprehended seven individuals, including two Nepalis, who were allegedly orchestrating the scheme. The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office disclosed details of the operation during a press conference on Sunday.

The arrested culprits have been identified as Roshin Rai, aged 33, a resident of Naxal Bhagwatibahal in Kathmandu; Tara Nepali, aged 27, hailing from Chulachuli Rural Municipality (House No. 7) in Ilam; Jahangir Alam, aged 34, originally from  Dhaka, now residing in Kapurdhara, Kathmandu; Tahmina Begum, aged 21, originally from Dhaka residing in Handigaon, Kathmandu; Amir Hussain, aged 47, from Bangladesh, residing in Kalimatidol, Kathmandu; Mohammad Mosiheur Rahman, aged 37, originally from  Bangladesh, living in Harisidhi, Lalitpur.

The operation revealed that the gang had enticed their victims, Rajon and Farhad Hussain, Bangladeshi citizens, promising them lucrative jobs and substantial earnings. Subsequently, the victims were held against their will at the Shubalakshmi Dailekhi Guest House near the New Bus Park.

Reports indicate that the gang demanded a significant sum of 1 million Bangladeshi Taka in exchange for facilitating their journey to Poland. When the victims resisted, the criminals resorted to threats and violence, even resorting to sending distressing videos of torture to the victims’ families.

In an appalling twist, the criminals negotiated with the victims’ families, ultimately demanding an extortionate 20 lakh taka after receiving an initial payment of 10 lakh taka. It was only when another Bangladeshi citizen, Abu Bak Siddiqui, reported the incident to the Crime Investigation Office, that law enforcement intervened and successfully put an end to the criminal operation.

Police investigations further uncovered that the syndicate had been engaged in fraudulent activities beyond trafficking, including obtaining Indian Aadhaar cards and Nepali citizenship. The criminals exploited these identities to establish relationships with Nepali women, manipulate finances, and conduct business operations under false pretenses.

SSP Manoj KC, Head of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, stressed the importance of dismantling such criminal networks and underlined the need for vigilance and coordinated efforts to prevent such activities that threaten the safety and security of individuals within Nepal’s borders.