Blog
Understanding the Growth of Cybercrime in Nepal
Open Knowledge Nepal
|Tue Aug 05 2025
Nepal is experiencing an unprecedented digital transformation. As of 2025, the country has over 16.5 million internet users, which is about 55.8% of the total population. With 16.5 million social media users and over 39 million mobile connections, surpassing the population itself, the digital footprint of Nepalese citizens has expanded rapidly.
The Digital Profile of Nepal (2024)
| Demographic Indicator | Value |
| Total population | 29.6 million |
| Internet users | 16.5 million (55.8%) |
| Social media users | 14.3 million (48.1%) |
| Mobile connections | 39 million (132%) |
| Urban population | 22.6% |
| Median age | 25.3 years |
However, this increasing connectivity has come with a darker underside: a surge in cybercrime. In just four years, cybercrime complaints have soared from 2,301 in 2019–20 to a staggering 19,730 in 2023–24. This represents a 757% increase, and if the pattern holds, 2024–25 could surpass 25,000 reported cases, making cybercrime the fastest-growing category of crime in Nepal.
Who Are the Victims?
While cybercrime affects a broad cross-section of society, some groups are more vulnerable than others. Women make up 44.32% of all victims, often targeted through blackmail, harassment, revenge porn, and online impersonation. The digital space, which should be a place of expression and connection, is increasingly being weaponized against them. Children, too, are not spared; 3.2% of victims are minors who face threats, abuse, or exploitation before they are even equipped to understand digital risks. LGBTQI+ individuals account for 3.8% of reported cases, indicating the persistence of discrimination and targeted online hate even in virtual environments. These figures are not just statistics; they highlight how social inequalities are being replicated and amplified online, creating an unsafe environment for already marginalized communities.
Provincial Disparities and Support Gaps
Cybercrime reporting varies significantly across Nepal’s provinces, exposing disparities in digital literacy, infrastructure, and access to justice. The Cyber Bureau, which handles national-level complaints, including those submitted through Hello Sarkar, processed the highest number of cases by far, with 16,439 reports in the past fiscal year. Among the provinces, Karnali Province surprisingly reported the highest number of cybercrime complaints (333), followed by Bagmati Province (excluding cases handled by the Cyber Bureau) with 384, and Koshi Province with 1,149. Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces reported 683 and 500 cases, respectively, while Gandaki Province reported 182. Sudurpashchim Province reported the fewest, with just 60 cases. These figures may not directly reflect actual crime rates but rather highlight the uneven distribution of reporting mechanisms, public awareness, and trust in law enforcement. Low numbers in some provinces may stem from underreporting due to social stigma or lack of digital knowledge, while higher figures may suggest greater awareness and access to reporting systems.
Cybercrime Incidents by Platform
| Platform | Cyber Complaints (FY 2023/24) |
| ~16,096 cases | |
| ~1,114 cases | |
| ~981 cases | |
| TikTok | ~721 cases |
| Telegram | Rising concern |
A closer look at the platforms involved reveals where the harm is happening. Facebook is by far the most reported platform, accounting for approximately 16,096 complaints, more than 81% of total cybercrime cases in 2023–24. Its dominance in Nepal’s social media landscape has also made it the prime space for abuse and digital exploitation. Instagram follows with around 1,114 cases, then WhatsApp with 981, TikTok with 721, and Telegram, while not quantified, has emerged as a rising concern. The pattern shows that platforms with higher user penetration bear the brunt of cyber-related grievances, but it also points to a pressing need for platform accountability, community guidelines tailored to local contexts, and faster content moderation mechanisms.
Legal Framework and Capacity Challenges
Despite the growing threat, Nepal continues to rely on an outdated legal infrastructure to tackle cybercrime. The Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) of 2006 remains the foundational legal document, a law conceived in a very different digital era. This legislation fails to address modern-day threats such as deepfakes, cryptocurrency scams, and AI-generated impersonation. As technologies evolve and criminals get more sophisticated, Nepal’s law enforcement and regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep up. The Cyber Bureau, despite being the central institution for handling cybercrime, is under-resourced and understaffed. Out of 106 personnel, only 28 are trained IT professionals, a striking shortfall considering the technical complexity of the crimes being investigated. This gap in digital forensic capacity hampers timely and effective responses, particularly as cybercrime spreads beyond Kathmandu into more rural provinces.
Recommendations Moving Forward
To counter the growing cyber threat, Nepal must urgently update its legislative frameworks to reflect the current digital ecosystem. This includes drafting and implementing a dedicated cybercrime law that goes beyond the outdated ETA and directly addresses new forms of online abuse, fraud, and manipulation. Strengthening provincial law enforcement by training more digital forensic experts will ensure that people across the country, not just in urban centers, can access justice. Education is also critical. Digital literacy, including basic online safety and rights, should be integrated into school and college curricula to equip young users with tools to protect themselves. Furthermore, the government should establish a formal support system for cybercrime victims, including psychological first aid, legal assistance, and safe reporting mechanisms. A centralized, multilingual online portal for filing complaints could improve accessibility and trust, especially for those in remote or underserved communities.
Cybercrime in Nepal is growing rapidly and visibly. As more people come online, the risks grow too. But this also presents an opportunity to educate, to reform, and to protect.
By updating legal frameworks, strengthening forensic and enforcement capacity, expanding digital literacy, and ensuring strong support systems for victims, Nepal can build not just a more connected society, but a safer and more inclusive digital future for all.
About This Analysis
This analysis is based on aggregated datasets sourced from Open Data Nepal (ODN). The primary sources of information include the Annual Factsheet on Suicide & Cyber Crime for the Fiscal Year 2080/81 (2023/24), published by the Police Headquarters, Crime Investigation Department, Naxal, Kathmandu, and reports from DataReportal. Together, these sources offer comprehensive insights into Nepal’s cybercrime trends, mental health landscape, and digital ecosystem.
