A Nepali man was arrested on charges of defrauding a victim of more than 6.5 million rupees (about $42,000) by promising to send him to the United States, authorities said.
The Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau arrested Lokman Khatri, 26, of Shantinagar, Dang district, at Babarmahal in Kathmandu.
Police said Khatri initially promised to send the victim to the United Kingdom on a visit visa for 2.5 million rupees (about $16,000) and later convert it into a work visa. He convinced the victim to deposit 400,000 rupees (about $2,600) into his bank account to begin the process, promising a job in the U.K. with a monthly salary of up to 200,000 rupees (about $1,300).
After receiving the initial payment, Khatri told the victim the U.K. visa was not approved and instead offered to send him to the United States for 4.5 million rupees (about $29,000), claiming the air travel would be safe.
Police said Khatri collected a total of 6,525,780 rupees ($42,000) from the victim in multiple installments. On Sept. 3, 2024, he sent the victim to Dubai via Tribhuvan International Airport.
From Dubai, the victim was brought back to Nepal through India and then trafficked through several countries — including Qatar, Spain, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico — before being illegally taken into the U.S.
The victim was later arrested by U.S. authorities for illegal entry and spent 14 months in detention. After being deported to Nepal on April 7, 2026, he filed a complaint with the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau.
Based on the complaint, police arrested Khatri on May 11, 2026, in coordination with the District Police Office in Salyan.
Khatri has been remanded in custody by the Kathmandu District Court. Further investigation is underway on human trafficking and smuggling charges, said Superintendent of Police Rajan Limbu, the bureau’s information officer.
Bhawani Prasad Panday
View More PostsBhawani Prasad Panday is a Nepali journalist based in Butwal, a thriving commercial center in Lumbini Province, Nepal. Renowned for his engaging coverage of local issues, Panday explores topics such as economic growth, social challenges, and cultural events. Currently, he writes for NepYork, addressing a broad spectrum of subjects ranging from community concerns to international developments.
