March 23, Kathmandu – Due to escalating conflicts among Israel, Iran, and the United States in West Asia, cyber scams have sharply increased alongside growing security concerns. Scammers have specifically targeted Nepalis residing in the region amid fears related to the conflict.
Recently, cybercriminals have hacked WhatsApp accounts of Nepalis living in Israel, Qatar, UAE, and other countries, then contacted their family and acquaintances from hacked contact lists, requesting OTP codes to extort money. These scammers impersonate the Nepalese embassy, falsely claiming, “This is a call from the Nepal Embassy,” and appeal for money under the pretext of emergency rescue or assistance.
Groups hacking WhatsApp accounts of Nepalis in Israel have become notably active. Instances of scams claiming calls from the Nepal Embassy using various phone numbers have increased.
Scammers operate by sending a verification code via phone and then calling back to ask for that code, which they use to hack into WhatsApp accounts.
Officials of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Israel have urged vigilance as these incidents have become widespread. They advise not to share codes if called by unknown persons and to block these contacts immediately.
Similar fraudulent activities have begun to surface in Gulf countries including Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Nepalis working abroad are targeted through social media and messenger apps, prompting calls for enhanced awareness.
The Nepalese embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the concerned countries have also issued warnings to remain alert.
It has been clearly stated that no embassy or government agency will ever request OTP codes or confidential information through calls or messages. People are urged not to trust unknown callers or messages and to verify any financial transactions through official channels beforehand.
The Nepal Police have also highlighted the rising cyber fraud activities, repeatedly advising citizens not to share OTPs, passwords, or personal information with anyone, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remain cautious of unsolicited messages. If account hacking is suspected, victims are recommended to immediately recover accounts and file complaints with relevant authorities.
The Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has warned about increasing cases where hackers compromise WhatsApp accounts to send messages like “I am in trouble, please send money immediately” or “There is an issue with my banking app; please send money to this QR code,” targeting friends and relatives. They have called for heightened awareness regarding such scams.
Even in urgent situations, people are advised not to trust such messages instantly, to confirm by direct phone calls if possible, and to refrain from downloading suspicious links, codes, or files.
The Cyber Bureau also requests that all users enable two-step verification, never share their OTP or verification codes with others, and remember to log out after using WhatsApp Web.
Embassies report that Nepalis living in conflict zones are already facing mental stress and insecurity, and these scams add to their difficulties. Scammers exploit emergencies, fear, and uncertainty to apply emotional pressure and extort money.
