The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested 52 individuals—including six Chinese nationals—for allegedly running an illicit online scam involving a dating app and cryptocurrency trading under the cover of a registered tech company.

The suspects had been operating out of two rented houses in Damkal Chowk, of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward 4, and Chagal of Kathmandu Metropolitan-13. They had registered a business called Social Software Development Company Pvt Ltd to conceal their activities, a press release issued by CIB on Wednesday said.

Investigators say the group was running a fake call centre and a dating app called METOO Dating App, using it to lure young Nepali women and facilitate fraudulent online transactions.

The six Chinese nationals—identified as Zhang Lun (29), Chen Jiahao (27), Lin De (41), Xu Zheng (32), Liu Zexuan (30), and Xu Linghua (33)—are believed to be the key operators of the scheme. They have been formally charged with offences relating to digital currency under Nepali law, while investigations into the remaining 46 Nepali suspects are ongoing, the CIB said.

Police also confiscated Rs13,999,950 in cash from undisclosed sources, along with 54 mobile phones and seven laptops believed to have been used in the operation.

The suspects are accused of manipulating victims through fake online dating profiles, luring them into unregulated cryptocurrency schemes with promises of high returns, and then defrauding them.

“The operation was well-organised and had a clear intent to exploit individuals using technology and social manipulation,” said Superintendent of Police Yuvaraj Khadka, the CIB’s spokesperson.

The CIB has urged the public to be cautious and avoid involvement in unregulated or suspicious digital platforms, particularly those related to online dating and cryptocurrencies.