The Department of Immigration on Friday detained four Chinese nationals, including one woman and three men, in Sohrakhutte, Kathmandu. They were held at the Milijuli Chowk area, where a significant number of Chinese citizens reside.

Initial investigations revealed that despite holding business visas, the four had no registered business or company information. They allegedly lured economically vulnerable Nepali women with promises of jobs to create content on TikTok, connect with other Chinese nationals, and facilitate marriages.

Some women were reportedly sent to China for marriage, said Tikaram Dhakal, spokesperson for the Department of Immigration.

The group reportedly rented properties in the Maipi area to accommodate Nepali women and coordinated their travel to other countries for similar purposes.

Two of the detainees had been living in Nepal for over a decade on tourist, student, and business visas. During visa checks, they failed to present passports and visas and reportedly misbehaved with immigration officers and security personnel.

Under Nepal’s Immigration Act, 1992, officials may inspect and detain foreigners at any time or place for violating immigration rules. The Immigration Regulations, 1994, restrict foreigners from engaging in activities other than those permitted by their visa. Foreigners found violating these rules may be fined up to Rs50,000 and barred from re-entering Nepal.

The Immigration Department stated that foreigners residing in Nepal will face legal action under immigration law if found involved in any activities contrary to their visa purpose or engaging in suspicious activities.