Facebook Lottery Scam Traps Nepali With Fake Live Videos
भदौ १५, २०८२ ११:४४
Kathmandu: Saraswati Sharma (name changed), a teacher in Kathmandu, was scrolling through Facebook when she came across a page called Lucky Draw that had gone live. More than 500 people were watching the video. In the video, a young man was scratching a card while announcing names and congratulating winners.
Saraswati watched briefly but scrolled past. After three or four posts, the same live appeared again from a different account. She ignored it. The third time, she ignored it again. But when it appeared for the fourth time, curiosity got the better of her. She clicked on a link in the comments and sent a message on Messenger.
“While using Facebook, I saw a live video of a person scratching a card, and about 500 people were watching it,” recalls Saraswati. “At first, I didn’t think it was a scam. But after seeing four or five similar videos, I thought I should find out what it was.”
As soon as she sent the message, she got a reply. The operators said there were four types of cards: the cheapest card cost Rs 18,000, the red card Rs 30,000, the white card Rs 38,600, and the VIP card Rs 45,200.
Saraswati decided to try the cheapest one. She was told to first pay 10 percent, or Rs 1,800, and would be given 50 cards for that amount. “They gave me a QR code and told me to pay 1,800 rupees. I sent the money and started watching the live show again,” she says, recalling how she was tricked.
After the payment, she received a code number and was told to watch the live show. The host announced her name and began scratching 50 cards on her behalf. When nothing came up, the words Thank you for participating appeared in Chinese. But by the 18th card, she was told she had won Rs 600,000.
She was then asked to chat again on Messenger. “At first, I thought it would be like buying a lottery ticket and waiting months for the results,” she says. “But they told me the winning amount would come right away if I continued chatting.”
Since she had paid only 10 percent, she was told to send the remaining amount. A QR code was sent again, and she was instructed to transfer money and share the screenshot. She did so, rejoined the live, and the same process was repeated. By the end, she was told she had won Rs 4.2 million more. She was asked to take a screenshot of the winning amount on her phone and send it on Messenger.
Then the real trap unfolded. She was told there were two ways to claim her winnings: either pay two percent tax or visit the company’s office. At first, they said the office was in Butwal. When Saraswati said she would go there, they changed the location to Beijing, China. “How can someone like me from Kathmandu reach Beijing?” she thought. “It was just their way of making it impossible.”
When she asked about the second option, she was told to pay Rs 84,000. Having already lost Rs 18,000, she feared losing more and accused them of cheating.
They tried to convince her by sending photos of others receiving prizes. But by then, Saraswati was certain it was a scam. She said she would go to the police. In response, one of the scammers sent her an obscene video on Messenger. Now, Saraswati has filed a complaint with the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.
How this fraud works
Online fraudsters use Facebook as their main tool. The videos are staged, with a lottery setup, sound effects like bells when someone “wins,” and repeated live broadcasts appearing in users’ feeds.
After watching multiple times, users grow curious and engage. Winners’ names are announced to build trust, and fake proof of money transfers is shown. Fraudsters also claim to have offices and show that they’ve been operating for over a year to appear credible.
They use rented wallets and bank QR codes. Often, people in villages are lured into opening accounts and giving access to mobile banking in exchange for money, unknowingly helping scammers.
In Nepal, lottery, gambling, and betting are completely banned. But when victims are cheated through such platforms, instead of protection, they themselves face legal risks for gambling.
The rise of such scams has prompted police headquarters to issue public alerts. Despite this, victims continue to reach out to the Cyber Bureau, Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, and District Police Complex, Bhadrakali.
Superintendent of Police Kaji Kumar Acharya, spokesperson of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, warned against sending money based on social media ads. “This lottery scam seems more widespread now,” he said. “Investigations are underway, but the most important thing is that the public should ignore such lotteries and tickets that appear on social media.”
The Cyber Bureau is also working with Facebook to curb these scams. “We have prepared a list of fraud accounts and sent it to Facebook,” said Superintendent of Police Deepak Raj Awasthi, spokesperson for the bureau. “There are many types of online fraud. The best protection is public awareness.”
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: भदौ १५, २०८२ ११:४४
