Fake Recruiter Scams in Nepal
Fraudulent overseas employment agencies in Nepal defrauding migrant workers seeking jobs in the Gulf and Malaysia.
Part of: Fake Recruiters
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Nepal sends some of the highest numbers of labour migrants per capita in Asia, primarily to Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and South Korea. This demand has spawned a large fraudulent recruitment industry that collects fees from families — often their entire savings — for jobs that do not exist or are radically misrepresented.
Some victims of these scams end up in forced labour situations after being trafficked to a third country on the pretence of legitimate employment, making fake recruitment in Nepal not only a financial crime but a gateway to serious human rights concerns.
How this scam works on Nepal
Unlicensed brokers operate from small offices or through village intermediaries, advertising positions in construction or hospitality. Families pay fees — sometimes borrowed — and the worker departs on a tourist visa only to find no employer waiting.
In verified cases, workers have arrived in Gulf countries with no contract, no accommodation, and no return ticket, relying on the mercy of strangers or their embassy for repatriation.
Some brokers hold actual Department of Foreign Employment (DOFE) licences but engage in fraudulent practices such as substituting contracts on arrival — a different, worse job is presented once the worker has no option to return.
Common red flags
- Agent not listed in the DOFE Nepal licensed-agency register
- Demand for fees before a verified contract and legitimate work visa are provided
- Visa type is tourist rather than employment category
- Employer in destination country cannot be contacted for independent verification
- Agent discourages you from registering with the government before departure
- Job description changes after payment is made
How to protect yourself
- Verify the agency with the Department of Foreign Employment at dofe.gov.np
- Attend the mandatory pre-departure orientation offered by DOFE
- Ensure your work permit and visa are verified before paying any fees
- Register with the Foreign Employment Promotion Board for access to insurance
- Keep all documents including your passport, contract, and agency receipts independently
- Know the contact of your destination country Nepal embassy before departure
How to report it
- File a complaint with DOFE at dofe.gov.np or via their walk-in complaints office in Kathmandu
- Call the Nepal Police helpline at 100 or visit the central investigation bureau
- Contact the National Human Rights Commission if trafficking is suspected at nhrc.org.np
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal maximum recruitment fee in Nepal?
Nepal's Foreign Employment Act sets a maximum recruitment fee, currently waived for certain corridors under bilateral agreements with Qatar, UAE, and Malaysia. Any demand above the regulated ceiling is illegal. Report it to DOFE regardless of whether you have already paid.