16 Individuals Arrested in Kathmandu for Engaging in Online Sexual Activities

May 9, Kathmandu – Police have arrested 16 individuals involved in operating an online sex trafficking ring in Kathmandu. The suspects reportedly used social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook to solicit clients and arranged meetings at various hotels to engage in sexual activities. Among those arrested, 4 are men and 12 are women, police officials confirmed.

According to the police, the arrested include 33-year-old hotel operator Vikas Bhulan from Manhari Rural Municipality-2, Makwanpur; 34-year-old Sunil Tamang from Lalbandi Municipality-14, Sarlahi; 28-year-old Bibek Syantan from Bakaia Rural Municipality-8, Makwanpur; and Rajkumar Gautam from Shambhu Marga, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-9. The women involved are identified as Pema Lama, Anjali Dhimal, Laxmi Magar, Samjhana Thapa, Elina Tamang, Kamalamaya Lama, Phurbamaya Tamang, Shivani Sunar, Roshani Lama, Sapana Bam, Umadevi Gurung, and Priya Tamang.

Investigations reveal that this group used Facebook and WhatsApp to share photos and videos of young women to negotiate with clients, arranging appointments and transporting clients by taxi or private vehicles to hotels in the Shambhu Marga and Battisputali areas of Gaushala for sexual services, according to police information.