Biratnagar authorities are warning of a rising threat: a gang is actively extorting money from men through honey traps on social media. The criminals create fake profiles, typically of attractive women, to befriend targets. After gaining trust, they use various pretexts, such as a sick relative, to extract money under threats.
Over 25 men in the last six months have fallen prey to this scheme, often lured in through a fake Facebook account under the name “Nisha Limbu”. Victims report a similar pattern: initial friendly contact, a shift to WhatsApp, a fabricated romantic relationship, and then urgent requests for money.
One Victim’s Story
Rajan Chaudhary (name changed) shared his experience: “I received a friend request, started chatting, and the girl claimed to be in love with me. She asked for money, claiming her mother was in the hospital. I sent over 10,000 rupees, but then she blocked me.”
The crime isn’t limited to Biratnagar, with men in Itahari also reporting similar experiences. Victims note that criminals avoid voice calls, communicating only through text and pre-recorded voice messages.
Protecting Yourself
- Be cautious about accepting friend requests from strangers on social media.
- Verify the person’s identity before engaging in personal conversations.
- Never send money to someone you have only met online.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police.
