Nepal Scams: Tourist, Trekking & Online Fraud Guide
Common scams targeting trekkers and tourists in Nepal, from Everest permit fraud to online job and investment scams, with official reporting channels.
Emergency number: 100 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Nepal draws hundreds of thousands of trekkers and pilgrims each year, creating fertile ground for tourist-area scams alongside fast-growing online fraud. On the trekking side the well-documented risks are counterfeit or resold TIMS cards and park permits, unlicensed 'guides' who collect fees in Thamel and disappear, helicopter-rescue insurance fraud in which trekkers are talked into unnecessary evacuations that inflate claims, and gem or thangka 'investment' pitches in Kathmandu that promise resale profits back home. Around temples, would-be 'holy men' and milk-for-the-baby routines work the same crowds.
For Nepalis, the highest-stakes fraud is foreign employment: unlicensed manpower agencies and individual brokers charge large fees for jobs in the Gulf, Malaysia or Europe that never materialise or differ badly from the contract, and 'visit visa setting' arrangements route workers through third countries into precarious work. At home, digital wallets such as eSewa and Khalti are targeted with KYC-update phishing, fake cashback and lottery messages, and social-engineering calls, while Facebook and TikTok carry task scams, fake online shops and Ponzi 'networking' schemes that spread through friend circles.
The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau at cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np is the primary official reporting channel for online fraud; foreign-employment fraud goes to the Department of Foreign Employment, and trekking-permit issues to the Nepal Tourism Board. Whatever the scam, move on the money first — bank or wallet, then the report.
Common scams
- Fake trekking permits and counterfeit park entry tickets
- Online job and task-based income scams
- Investment and crypto fraud via social media
- Phone and internet banking phishing
Tourist-specific scams
- Fake or unlicensed trekking guides collecting fees and disappearing
- Counterfeit permits for Everest and Annapurna treks
- Overcharging guesthouses and lodges on popular trekking routes
- Gem and crystal 'investment opportunity' scams in Kathmandu
Online shopping scams
- Task-based income scams paying small amounts then demanding deposits
- Phishing targeting Nepalese bank users
- Fake lottery and prize notification messages
Job scams
- Fake overseas job offers (particularly Gulf countries) requiring upfront fees
- Fraudulent domestic recruitment agencies collecting fees for non-existent jobs
- 'Visit visa setting' brokers routing workers abroad outside the legal labour process
Romance scams
- Social media romance fraud leading to financial requests
- Dating-app grooming escalating to investment schemes
- Fake foreign 'partners' promising marriage or sponsorship for escalating fees
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto platforms promoted via Facebook and Viber
- Ponzi schemes disguised as business investment opportunities
- 'Networking' and cooperative-style schemes recruited through friend and family circles
How to report a scam here
- If money was transferred, contact your bank immediately
- Report cybercrime to the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau at cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np or call 01-4219044
- For trekking fraud (fake permits, unlicensed guides), report to the Nepal Tourism Board
- Dial 100 for police emergencies
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank as soon as you can, using the number on your card, its app, or a branch, because the chance of stopping a transfer falls quickly once money has moved on. Say you were deceived into making the payment, ask for it to be halted and the receiving account reported, and ask for a reference number. If the money went through eSewa, Khalti or another wallet, report it inside the app's support channel as well and give them the recipient ID and transaction code — wallet-to-wallet transfers can sometimes be held before cash-out. If you gave anyone a password or a one-time code, mention that and change your login. Then report to the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau at cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np with your evidence attached; for foreign-employment fraud, also file with the Department of Foreign Employment, which can act against licensed agencies.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify a trekking permit in Nepal is genuine?
Official trekking permits are issued by the Department of Immigration for TIMS cards and the Department of National Parks for restricted area permits. Always obtain permits through official government offices or licensed trekking agencies registered with the Nepal Tourism Board.
What is foreign employment fraud in Nepal?
Unlicensed brokers and some rogue agencies charge large fees for overseas jobs that never materialise, differ from the promised contract, or route workers abroad on visit visas outside the legal process. Check that an agency holds a valid Department of Foreign Employment licence, insist on a written contract matching the pre-departure orientation, and report violations to the DoFE.
How are eSewa and Khalti wallets targeted?
Common lures are fake KYC-update links, bogus cashback or lottery messages, and calls impersonating wallet support asking for the OTP or MPIN. The wallets never ask for codes by phone. Use only the official apps, ignore links in messages, and report fraud inside the app and to the Cyber Bureau.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance