Two Arrested for Online Mobile Sale Fraud

Kathmandu. An advertisement came on Facebook and TikTok accounts named 'Shakir Mobile' offering iPhones at very cheap prices. A person working in a company in Kathmandu saw the advertisement where an iPhone-15 Pro Max could be bought for Rs 65,000. Then, through that advertisement, he came in contact with the seller. The advertisement mentioned that the mobile shop was located in Tulsipur, Dang. The person who wanted to buy asked, 'How and when will I get the mobile?' The reply came from the other side, 'Our goods are always going by courier, send the amount via QR, you will get the goods by tomorrow evening.' After the seller suggested sending money through mobile banking, the person transferred Rs 65,000. However, when he tried to contact the seller the next day to inquire about the mobile's whereabouts, the seller had already blocked him. Based on the information from the victim, the District Police Complex Kathmandu has arrested two people who were running a fraud business under the guise of 'Shakir Mobile' shop. Those arrested are 21-year-old Dilip Tamang, a resident of Birtamod Municipality-4, Jhapa, currently living in Kathmandu, and 23-year-old Ashutosh Oli, a resident of Birtamod-3, also living in Kathmandu. The victim was defrauded because the 256 GB iPhone-15 Pro Max was not available at such a cheap price elsewhere, and he fell for the temptation. To deceive customers, the accused used to claim that the mobile set was 'unopened'. The accused involved in the fraud used to edit mobile advertisements posted by mobile sellers in Kathmandu's Tamrakar Complex using the video editing app 'CapCut' and add voiceovers. An officer involved in the investigation said, 'They used to edit the videos, mention a low price where a high price was stated, and post it on their page. Victims used to fall for the temptation after seeing advertisements for cheap prices and home delivery.' It has been found that some people living abroad also contact Shakir Mobile through Facebook and TikTok to give 'surprises' to their relatives in Nepal. An officer from the District Police Complex Kathmandu, who is investigating the incident, said, 'It has been found that the accused used to urge customers to pay the full amount at first, and if not, they would ask for a 50 percent advance payment, stating that the mobile could not be held without it, and would ask them to deposit the money.'

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