On March 19, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested Naresh Reule with NPR 1.53 million. Investigations revealed that he, along with Deepti Pokharel and Pravesh Ali, was involved in cryptocurrency transactions exceeding NPR 1.36 billion. A case has been filed against them in the Kathmandu District Court on charges related to hundi and intangible currency offenses, and hearings are currently underway. (April 15, Kathmandu)
The investigation, initiated following the arrest of Naresh Reule with NPR 1.53 million, exposed involvement in cryptocurrency transactions exceeding NPR 1.36 billion. On March 19, a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended 31-year-old Naresh Reule from Samakhusi Chowk. Reule, a resident of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City–20, Sanjhana Chowk, was taken into custody after police received information regarding his cryptocurrency dealings. He admitted to police that he sought individuals interested in cryptocurrency trading and connected them with others.
Through Reule, police established contact with 32-year-old Deepti Pokharel of Lalitpur Metropolitan City–25, Nakhu. Reule informed authorities that he connected Deepti with 41-year-old Pravesh Ali from Medinipur Moyna Police Station, West Bengal, India, residing in Uttar Shrikant Gram. Reule also disclosed that Deepti had gone to meet a person named Iqbal to exchange USD 10,000. Subsequently, police arrested Deepti near Rednapul, Samakhusi, with NPR 1.53 million in her possession.
During the investigation, Iqbal was also apprehended from Ekantakuna, Lalitpur. Following his arrest, the mystery behind the cryptocurrency transactions unfolded. Police discovered through Iqbal’s Binance crypto trading account on his mobile device that transactions amounting to approximately NPR 1,368,045,580 had taken place. Iqbal, who had been living in Nepal for 28 years and operated a service company called ‘Alibaba Services’ in Samakhusi, was involved in cryptocurrency dealings exceeding NPR 1.5 billion.
All three detainees collaborated in conducting illegal cryptocurrency transactions. Although each accused blamed the others during their statements, police assert they acted in concert. The involvement of another individual named Anil Ghimire has also been reported. The identity and domicile of this person remain unknown. A case has been filed against him, and authorities have indicated that further charges will be pressed as more information becomes available.
