Three arrested in Kathmandu for online betting, crypto transactions

KATHMANDU, AUGUST 9

Police have arrested three people in Baneshwar, Kathmandu, for their alleged involvement in online betting and cryptocurrency transactions.

A police team deployed from the Kathmandu District Police Range arrested them at around 9:00pm on Thursday while checking them in a suspicious condition in Kathmandu Metropolitan City-10, Baneshwar.

According to police, preliminary investigation showed that the suspects had been involved in betting through the 1xBet application, with transactions exceeding Rs 206,000.

Police also found transactions involving 79,068.65 USDT and other cryptocurrencies, equivalent to Rs 12.05 million, according to the police statement. A balance of 1,501.32 USDT, equivalent to around Rs 228,836, was also found. Five mobile phones were seized from them.

The arrested have been identified as 30-year-old Nabin Poudel, 19-year-old Rahul Belbase and 28-year-old Rabin Belbase, all originally from Banganga Municipality-6, Kapilvastu, and currently residing in Baneshwar.

The Kathmandu District Court has granted police a five-day remand to investigate the suspects on charges related to operating or facilitating betting and conducting cryptocurrency transactions.