Nepal flood relief scam: Man arrested for using ChatGPT to fake Rs 1.2 lakh donation statement and promote his own QR code
Kathmandu: A 32-year-old man has been taken into custody in Nepal after allegedly using ChatGPT to fabricate a bank statement showing a large donation to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund — a document he never actually paid for, police say. (Nepal Flood Relief Scam)
Ramechhap Police arrested Bhagwan Karki of Gokulganga Rural Municipality on charges of creating and circulating a fake donation receipt claiming he had contributed NPR 120,000 (approximately Rs 75,190 in Indian currency) to the government’s official flood relief fund. According to investigators, Karki generated the fabricated bank statement using the AI chatbot ChatGPT, then attached his own personal QR code to the document before posting it on social media as proof of his generosity.
The arrest comes at a moment when donations are pouring into Nepal’s disaster relief accounts following catastrophic flooding and landslides that have devastated multiple districts, killed hundreds of people, and left thousands still missing.
How the scam unfolded
Police say Karki’s fabricated statement was designed to look like an authentic transaction record from the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. By presenting himself publicly as a large donor, authorities allege, he sought to build credibility — a reputation he could then exploit by pairing the fake receipt with his own QR code, potentially prompting others to send money believing they were contributing through a verified channel or “matching” his contribution.
The case highlights a fraud pattern that is different from more common relief scams, which typically prey on urgency and fear — such as messages impersonating flood victims asking for emergency funds. Instead, this alleged scheme worked by manufacturing false social proof: a seemingly generous, publicly documented donation used as a springboard to solicit money from others.
Government response
The case comes as Nepali authorities have repeatedly urged the public to be cautious about how they donate to flood relief efforts. The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers has asked donors to use only the official QR codes and verified account names published through government channels — specifically the “Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund” and “Prime Minister’s Fund” — to ensure transparency, proper management of contributions, and protection against financial fraud during the disaster response.
Officials have separately flagged a rise in unauthorized QR codes and personal account numbers being circulated online in the name of flood relief, urging the public to verify any donation channel directly through official government sources before transferring money.
Relief fund continues to grow
Despite the scam concerns, contributions to the government’s disaster fund have continued to climb rapidly. As of Saturday noon, more than NPR 5.04 billion (roughly Rs 3.16 billion) had been deposited into accounts held at nine commercial banks under the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, according to figures released by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Separately, over USD 1.8 million has been collected through designated dollar accounts at Himalayan Bank and Laxmi Sunrise Bank.
A wider warning
The Karki case adds to a string of advisories issued by Nepal Police since the floods began, warning of scammers using fake QR codes that copy official government branding, impersonation of flood victims via text message, and phishing links designed to steal banking credentials. Authorities have asked anyone who suspects a scam to report it to their nearest police station or Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau.
The case is under investigation, and further details on the charges against Karki are expected as the probe continues.
(With inputs from The Statesman)
Author Bio
Suyesh Gusain: A postgraduate in Mass Communication with 8+ years in content writing, the author covers crime, fraud, and cybersecurity news with a focus on verified reporting.