A small-time Nepalese film actor and his two friends have been arrested here for allegedly cheating their fellow countrymen by promising them 'work visa' for South Africa.
Khushbu Hamal Thakuri alias Raj Hamal (39), Surya Karky (28) and Kamal Chaudhary (34) were apprehended from here yesterday, Devesh Srivastava, Additional Commissioner of Police (Central), said today.
Fourty-seven Nepali passports, five Indian passports, Rs eight lakh cash, police clearance certificates of Nepal and three mobile phones have been recovered allegedly from their possession.
Thakuri and Karky were the first to be arrested and later Chaudhary was apprehended. Five Nepali nationals, who were "in the custody" of the gang, were rescued from a hotel at Nabi Karim.
"The victims told us that they were brought to Delhi by an agent Maya Tawang who assured them of work visa for African Countries for Rs 4-5 lakh. They paid Rs one lakh to Tawang in Nepal," Srivastava said.
In Delhi, he said, Tawang allegedly introduced the victims to the gang, who posed as South African Embassy officials. They allegedly assured work visa for South Africa from Delhi and asked for Rs two lakh.
"They handed over Rs two lakh and their passports to the accused. On assurance of work visa, the accused made them stay at a hotel in Nabi Karim on February 15. After that, Tawang returned to Nepal," Srivastava said.
The gang again asked for Rs two lakh but the victims did not have it and demanded their money back.
Thakuri told police that he has acted in several Nepali films and the victims blindly believed him.
"They used to charge Rs five to six lakh from their victims. It was further revealed that the racket also has contacts in Punjab, UP and other states also," Srivastava said.
