Nepal’s Department of Immigration has detained a U.S. citizen on charges of fraud and identity misuse after he allegedly used the names of several prominent Nepali political figures to raise international funds through a bogus website.
The suspect operated a website named “Nepal International College” that falsely listed former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Arzu Rana Deuba, Gagan Thapa, Mahesh Basnet, Binod Chaudhary, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, and more than a dozen other political and public figures as members of its “team.” The department said he exploited these names to gain credibility and attract donations from international organizations.
According to immigration records, the U.S. national had been traveling to Nepal frequently since 2014, with more than 50 visits over the past 12 years under various visa categories, including tourist, business, and work visas. He had registered a company called “Comseed Nepal” to obtain a business visa and was also involved in religious activities, including church establishment projects.
Officials found that the fake college website falsely claimed affiliation with both Tribhuvan University and Pokhara University — an impossibility under Nepali law, which allows affiliation with only one university. The alleged institution also promoted programs such as Korean Studies, AI Software Engineering, and Business Studies without any authorization.
The Department of Immigration’s spokesperson, Tikaram Dhakal, confirmed that the foreign national was taken into custody after investigators verified attempts to solicit funds based on false claims and identity misuse. He now faces further investigation on charges of fraud, visa misuse, and unauthorized religious proselytization.
Authorities suspect the involvement of some Nepali nationals in the scheme, though the department clarified that the named political leaders appear to have had no direct connection to the website.
The detained U.S. citizen, who reportedly has a background in mountaineering and business, is said to be suffering from stage-four cancer, which officials believe may complicate the investigation process.
D. Dhungana
View More PostsDipendra Dhungana is a journalist based in Kathmandu with over a decade of experience in photojournalism. His work has been featured in numerous national and international outlets, showcasing the stories and resilience of the Nepali people. He is also a contributing journalist for NepYork.
