Over the past five years, Nepal has seen a significant rise in fraud cases related to foreign employment, with nearly 15,904 complaints filed, according to data from the Department of Foreign Employment.
This increase highlights the growing vulnerability of individuals seeking better opportunities abroad, particularly in Europe and other high-demand destinations.
Rising fraud in foreign employment
The number of fraud cases in foreign employment has increased sixfold over the past five years. While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced the number of complaints, the trend has since escalated, with 7,500 cases filed in the past year alone.
Of these, 3,837 cases have been resolved, leading to compensation payouts totalling Rs 309.3 million. However, thousands of victims are still seeking justice, with many cases under investigation by both the police and the department’s investigation branch.
Gurudatta Subedi, Director of the Department of Foreign Employment, expressed concern over the surge in fraud cases. “The number of fraud complaints has increased every year. Young people, who dream of working abroad, are falling victim to these scams,” he said. Subedi noted that more individuals are now involved in scams, as opposed to organised manpower companies.
Victims share their stories
Nabin Sharma, a resident of Hetauda, is among the many victims. Last year, he planned to move to Europe and was introduced to Dipendra Upreti from Lamjung through a friend. Dipendra promised to secure him a job in Poland within a month.
Trusting him, Nabin paid Rs 800,000 in three instalments. However, after receiving the money, Dipendra began to avoid contact and eventually disappeared without a trace. Six months later, Nabin filed a complaint with the Department of Foreign Employment, concluding that he had been scammed.
Similarly, Himal Khanal from Dang wanted to find a good job abroad. A relative suggested Canada and introduced him to Rudra Bahadur Khatri, who claimed he could arrange an easy working visa. Khatri lured Himal with the promise that once in Canada, he could easily enter the USA.
Excited by the prospect, Himal gathered three friends, and the group paid Khatri Rs 1.5 million each. Despite promises to send them to Canada within three months, eight months passed without any progress, and Khatri eventually vanished. The group later discovered another eight victims who had also been defrauded by Khatri. They are now preparing to file a complaint.
Europe: A major target
Europe has become a significant destination for Nepali workers, leading to an increase in scams related to employment in European countries. According to the department, many complaints involve fraudsters promising jobs in countries such as Portugal, Poland, Romania, Malta, Croatia, the UK, and Greece. Scams also involve promises of employment in Canada, the USA, and the UK.
DSP Govinda Panthi from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office expressed surprise at the number of fraud cases, noting that most of the scams are perpetrated by individuals. “People are lured with promises of high earnings in Eastern European countries,” he said. “Young people, eager to believe, are willing to pay large sums.”
Government urged to act
Labour migration expert Dr Som Prasad Luitel called for the government to take policy decisions that would open legal avenues for Nepali workers to seek employment in Europe. “The increasing number of fraud cases in foreign employment is a cause for concern,” Luitel said, emphasising the need for governmental intervention to protect workers.
Similarly, foreign employment entrepreneur Rajendra Bhandari noted that while institutional scams by manpower companies were once prevalent, the trend has shifted towards individual fraud. “In the past, manpower companies were often involved in scams,” he said.
“Now, individuals are more frequently the perpetrators,” Bhandari added, pointing out that social media has become a common platform for luring victims.
The path forward
As fraud cases continue to rise, the Department of Foreign Employment, along with law enforcement agencies, is under increasing pressure to address the issue. With thousands of victims awaiting justice, the need for stricter regulations and more robust enforcement mechanisms is more urgent than ever. The government is also being urged to implement policies that would safeguard the interests of Nepali workers and prevent further exploitation.
