According to the District Police Office, Kathmandu, Surendra B.K. assured his victim of successful U.S. immigration but failed to deliver. He was arrested in Kathmandu-14.

Authorities have also detained three others involved in similar fraudulent activities. Sunil Dasoudi (25) from Salyan’s Chhatreshwari-6 allegedly scammed an individual by promising immigration to Serbia. Bikas Dawadi (31) from Kavre’s Panchkhal-5 is accused of cheating two individuals with false promises of travel to Japan, while Bishakha Poudel (24) from Kathmandu’s Gokarneshwar reportedly swindled money from a victim by offering fake opportunities in Kuwait.

According to Superintendent of Police Kaji Kumar Acharya from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the four suspects collectively defrauded victims of around $100,000. The police investigation is ongoing.

Cases of fraudsters promising fake U.S. immigration have been increasing in Nepal, with scammers exploiting people’s aspirations to move abroad for better opportunities. Many victims are lured with false assurances of work visas, student visas, or permanent residency in the U.S. in exchange for large sums of money.

Additionally, human traffickers have been facilitating illegal migration by smuggling Nepalis into the U.S. through Mexico. Reports indicate that individuals desperate to enter the U.S. are paying up to $100,000 per person for this dangerous and illegal route. Many of them undertake perilous journeys through multiple countries, facing high risks of arrest, detention, and even death.

The U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 2,660 Nepali nationals attempting to enter the United States without visas during the first eight months of the last fiscal year, primarily through the U.S.-Mexico border with the assistance of human traffickers. Data shows that 610 Nepalis were arrested in October 2023, 550 in November, and 420 in December. In January 2024, 200 were detained, followed by 230 in February, 160 in March, 310 in April, and 180 in May — totaling 2,660 Nepalis over that period.

Between 2014 and 2022, a total of 5,180 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa via the Mexican border. However, between October 2022 and May 2024, 5,800 Nepalis were encountered at the border. These figures represent only those who were apprehended by the Border Patrol.

The previous fiscal year, 2023, saw the highest number of Nepali nationals — 3,140 — attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border without visas. Monthly figures for that fiscal year include 170 in October 2022, 220 in November, 320 in December, 140 in January 2023, 100 in February, 130 in March, 260 in April, 460 in May, 480 in June, 310 in July, 240 in August, and 330 in September.

In fiscal year 2022, 1,490 Nepalis entered the U.S. in this manner, while only 420 did so in 2021. Under the Biden administration, approximately 8,000 Nepalis have attempted to enter the U.S. without visas, compared to 1,850 during the four years of the previous Trump administration. During Trump’s term, 650 entered in fiscal year 2017, 720 in 2018, 340 in 2019, and 140 in 2020.

From 2014 to 2016, 460, 410, and 550 Nepalis entered the U.S. without a visa, respectively. These individuals often paid thousands of dollars to brokers to facilitate their entry. While some were immediately released into the U.S., others were detained in immigration facilities or deported.