A woman in Nepal has fallen victim to an online scam through a TikTok account, losing 27,000 rupees. Nani Maya Vika, a resident of Hupsekot in Nawalparasi (East), had ordered a T-shirt and skirt for her daughter from a TikTok account called ‘Lakshmi Collection Store’ on Shrawan 7, 2083.
The store asked her to pay 900 rupees in advance, promising to deliver the goods the next day. However, after Vika transferred the money, the store claimed that there was a technical issue and asked her to send a seven-day bank statement. Vika sent the statement, and the store then asked her to dial a specific code to transfer the money again.
After Vika followed the instructions, 27,000 rupees were withdrawn from her bank account. She tried to contact the store, but they had blocked her number. Later, she received a call from an unknown number, claiming to be a police officer, who asked her to share her screen to return the money.
Vika shared her screen, and the caller asked her not to use her mobile banking app for at least 24 hours. However, she soon received messages that money was being withdrawn from her account. When she tried to log in to her mobile banking app, she found that the scammers had accessed her account.
Vika has filed a complaint with the police, and an investigation is underway. According to the police, such online scams have been increasing in Nepal, with many people falling victim to similar scams.
Another victim, Chiring Limjom Lama, also lost 53,000 rupees to the same TikTok account. However, the scammers were unable to access his mobile banking app.
The ‘Lakshmi Collection Store’ TikTok account has over 35,000 followers and appears to be a legitimate store, posting videos of women’s and children’s clothing. However, some users have commented on the videos, warning others not to trust the store.
Police Warn of Rising Online Scams
According to the Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau, the number of cybercrime and online scam complaints has increased in the past year. In the fiscal year 2082/83, a total of 20,526 complaints were filed, compared to 18,926 in 2081/82 and 19,730 in 2080/81.
The police have warned people to be cautious when making online transactions and to avoid making advance payments. ‘When ordering goods online, it’s best to avoid advance payments and instead opt for a ‘cash on delivery’ system,’ said Dilip Giri, a spokesperson for the Cyber Bureau.
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