The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police has warned the public about a new wave of fraudulent emails sent by impersonating high-ranking law enforcement officials and attempting to trick recipients into thinking they are under investigation.

The emails, written in Nepali and English, falsely claim to be official communications from the Nepal Police or its Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). They accuse recipients of engaging in criminal activities and demand responses, setting a dangerous stage for blackmail and financial fraud.

“This is a deeply concerning development,” said Superintendent of Police Deepak Raj Awasthi, spokesperson and information officer for the Cyber Bureau. “For now, we have received three official complaints, but our monitoring suggests these emails have reached a large number of people in just the past three to four days.”

The emails not only use the names and posts of senior Nepal Police officers but also attempt to mimic official formats to appear credible and manipulate victims.

One fraudulent email obtained by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police begins with the subject line, “Official Court Order Warning.” Purportedly sent from the ‘Commissioner of Police Department’, it accuses the recipient of using their internet connection for illegal activities, including accessing child pornography. The email signed off with the name ‘Tek Prasad Rai’ and the title ‘Deputy Inspector Generals of Nepal Police’, claims to represent the Central Investigation Bureau and the National Cyber Security Centre.

“This is to inform you of the alleged Court Order against your Internet IP traffic,” the email reads. “More information or clarification on the Court Order will be made available to you upon receipt of your response within 24 hours. Be assured that serious legal action will be taken against you if you fail to respond to this message.”

Awasthi pointed out errors in the email, including the misuse of police ranks. “Tek Prasad Rai is currently an Additional Inspector General of Police (AIGP), but the email incorrectly refers to him as Deputy Inspector Generals of Nepal Police,” he said. “This is a clear indication of its fraudulent nature.”

These emails do not demand money immediately, but are the first steps in a larger fraud. When victims respond, they are slowly manipulated into providing money or for other gains.

The Cyber Bureau’s warning comes against a wider regional surge in digital arrest scams. In India, victims have reported being contacted not only through email, but also via video calls staged to appear as if they were conducted from legitimate police stations.

Government data from India revealed that victims lost an estimated 1.2 billion rupees [Indian] to digital arrest fraud in the first quarter of 2024.

“These scams have escalated to the point where people have been locked in their own homes for days, paralysed by fear,” Awasthi said. “If we aren’t cautious, such schemes could take root here as well.”

Awasthi outlined several key strategies for identifying fraudulent emails. He noted that official correspondence from the Nepal Police is typically written in clear, fluent Nepali. By contrast, the Nepali language used in these scam emails appears to be poorly translated, likely using artificial intelligence tools.

“People should pay attention to details like grammar and structure. If the Nepali text feels unnatural, that’s a red flag,” he said. Additionally, Nepal Police emails will always use the official domain, nepal.police.gov.np.

Recipients should check if the sender’s address matches this domain and hover over any links to see if they redirect to suspicious websites. Inconsistencies, such as incorrect ranks or titles, should also be checked.

The scam emails capitalise on victims’ fear of legal consequences, often by accusing them of heinous crimes. Legitimate investigations by the Cyber Bureau would never be conducted in this manner, according to Awasthi.

“When we receive evidence of illegal activity, we act within the framework of the Criminal Procedural Code. Searches and arrests follow defined rules,” he said. “Emails with threats like these are not how we operate.”

The bureau has urged the public to report any suspicious emails to the appropriate authorities. Information about cybercrime prevention and ongoing investigations can be found on the bureau’s official website.

The Facebook page of the bureau has already seen a flurry of comments from individuals claiming to have received similar emails.

Awasthi also iterated the need for digital literacy to counter these threats. “People who understand digital technology can identify fake domains and phishing attempts more easily,” he said. “But for the general public, the best defense is awareness and caution.”

As technology continues to advance, so do the methods employed by cybercriminals. “The general public needs to stay vigilant. These scams can have devastating consequences—emotional, financial, and even physical. If you receive an email that seems suspicious, do not respond. Report it immediately,” he said.