As a seasoned analyst with years of experience in financial crime and cybersecurity, I find it alarming yet unsurprising to see Nepal grappling with the growing use of cryptocurrencies in fraudulent activities. Having witnessed similar trends in other regions, I can attest that this is indeed a global challenge.
In Nepal, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which is part of the Nepal Rastra Bank, has expressed concerns about the increasing involvement of cryptocurrencies in cyber crimes, even though digital asset trading is currently prohibited within the country.
According to a “Strategic Analysis Report” released by the FIU on November 18, it was emphasized that crooks are increasingly resorting to cryptocurrencies for laundering ill-gotten gains. It appears that these con artists exchange their illicit profits into cryptocurrencies, which in turn makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track and recover the funds. The ease of transferring cryptocurrencies to offshore accounts adds another layer of complexity to these investigations.
Additionally, the Financial Intelligence Unit pointed out a rise in deceptive cryptocurrency investment scams aimed at citizens of Nepal via social media and internet advertisements. These scams frequently tout high yields, enticing unwitting participants. Yet, the prohibition of cryptocurrency trading in Nepal discourages many from reporting these criminal activities due to concerns about potential consequences or shame.
This underreporting is a major hurdle for authorities. As of May 2024, around 64% of all fraud cases reported in Nepal were cyber-enabled, reflecting the scale of the challenge.
In response to an increasing danger, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) recommends closer scrutiny of cryptocurrency transactions and enhanced education for financial institutions on identifying and reporting unusual behavior.
In my analysis, I would emphasize the importance of strengthening collaboration among various agencies and updating our regulatory framework. This is crucial for effective combat against digital payment fraud.
In simple terms, just as Nepal shares similar worries to those faced globally, at a recent gathering of major economies (G20), South Korea unveiled plans to enforce reporting for cryptocurrency transactions that cross borders. This means that businesses will need to register in advance with the relevant authorities and submit regular reports, say on a monthly basis, to the Bank of Korea.
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2024-11-18 15:48