Romance Blackmail Scams in Nepal
Sextortion and online romance fraud targeting Nepali men via Facebook and Instagram, exploiting cultural shame and limited cyber-crime awareness.
Part of: Romance Blackmail Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sextortion scams have spread significantly in Nepal, where cultural stigma around sexual content makes victims particularly reluctant to report to police. Men are lured via Facebook or Instagram into video calls where intimate images or footage are obtained, then threatened with distribution to family and colleagues unless payment is made.
Nepal's limited awareness of digital crime mechanisms means many victims believe the threats are more powerful than they are, and pay repeatedly rather than seeking help.
How this scam works on Nepal
A fake female profile contacts a Nepali man on Facebook with flattering messages. The conversation quickly moves toward intimate video calls. Using pre-recorded footage, the scammer captures screenshots and then reveals they have compromising material.
The demand is for NPR [amount] via eSewa, Khalti, or a bank transfer. Payment rarely ends the extortion — new demands follow, sometimes with additional screenshots obtained from earlier calls.
Operators often threaten to share content with the victim's family on social media, knowing this is the most potent threat in a society with close family-monitoring of social profiles.
Common red flags
- Attractive stranger on Facebook quickly directing conversation toward video calls
- Profile with few tagged friends and photos that seem stock or AI-generated
- Immediate demand for payment after an intimate video call
- Threat to post to your family WhatsApp group or Facebook friends list
- Increasing payment demands after initial compliance
- Caller claims to be from a monitoring agency or police unit — a scare tactic
How to protect yourself
- Do not engage in intimate video calls with people you have not met in person
- If targeted, do not pay — document everything and report to police
- Review your Facebook privacy settings to limit what strangers can see
- Tell a trusted person about the situation — isolation increases vulnerability
- Contact Nepal Police Cyber Bureau for support without fear of judgment
- Know that in most cases the scammer does not have the ability to follow through on all threats
How to report it
- Report to Nepal Police Cyber Bureau at cyberbureaunepal.gov.np
- Report the profile via Facebook or Instagram in-app reporting tools
- Seek help from SAATHI (an NGO supporting victims of digital abuse) if needed
Frequently asked questions
Can Nepal Police take action against overseas sextortion scammers?
Direct prosecution is difficult when perpetrators are abroad, but Nepal Police Cyber Bureau can coordinate with Interpol and assist with platform takedown requests. Filing a report also provides protection if the scammer attempts further threats.