This is how Nepalis are being cheated through FIFA

Kathmandu. Gambling and betting are illegal in Nepal. In the case of betting, it is written in sub-section 4 of section 125 of the Civil Code 2074 that 'no one should engage in betting'. If found to have done so, Section 125 "Not to encourage gambling or betting" provides that the violator shall be imprisoned for up to one year and fined up to 10,000 rupees.

Because of this rule, betting or gambling platforms cannot be registered, operated or transacted in Nepal. But it has come out that millions of rupees of betting is being done online secretly against the law.

Last Thursday, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested a woman on the charge of defrauding some people of more than 11 lakh rupees by saying that they would invest money in Fifia. Taking out the arrest notice, the office has defined the Fifia app as an illegal gambling application.

However, Fifa has been saying that 4-4 bets made on that platform are not illegal. It seems that various matches are taking place on the FIFA platform. Where a minimum of 300 NPR (Nepali Rupees) is required to be deposited. After finishing any match, it is assured that 0.48 percent of the deposited amount can be added and sent. 

Any amount can be deposited in it from a minimum of 300 NPR to a maximum. Other options are betting, where the scores of two teams are placed side by side. Out of that, the user is asked to bet on the score that he thinks will come.

It is said that different percentage amount will be provided according to the amount of bet according to the score. In that case, a minimum of 10,000 NPR bet is required at a time. However, it says that this option is not available in your region.

How to bet is taught in the Telegram channel.

How is FIFA drowning Nepal?

Before discussing how FIFA is drowning Nepali youth, let's discuss a platform of this nature called 'GV Football' which has grown in India. According to Indian media ABP Live, this platform has sunk billions in India.

The company promised to provide users with double the amount in a month. After going to that app, a list of matches between different clubs and teams was visible. Out of which one had to select an app and pay money. Agents of the company also created a separate Telegram channel. Agents and users used to interact in Telegram groups. Tips were given on how to collect money in the group.

Accordingly, the user used to place the amount in the bet. As much as the user deposited, 2.5 percent of that amount was deposited into the user's account per day. In this way, the amount deposited by the user in a month would be doubled. 

When the user withdraws that amount to his bank, 12 percent is deducted in the name of 'processing fee'. And, the user would get the remaining amount in his bank. 

Despite the 12 percent deduction, users were satisfied with the income. Because if they deposited 1 lakh, they would get back 1 lakh 88 thousand rupees in a month. In this way, the platform gave the belief that even with a small investment, you can earn good income.

Then people started suggesting their close people to deposit funds on that platform. Even though he kept taking loans until he was satisfied, he started saving. When the amount was reached, people started depositing large sums of money.

There was another reason why they collected the money. The more the amount, the more the benefit would be if the 12 percent tax was deducted. Then suddenly, one day when the user was withdrawing money, the problem started. The company requested users not to panic saying that everything will be fine. Two days after that, when the user opened the app, he received a notification that 'to withdraw the amount, you have to pay 10 percent tax of the total amount'.

“The company is going to open its office in India. For that, you have to pay tax to the government. Therefore, we are charging 10 percent as tax from the Indian member,” the notification read. For that, the platform gave two days to the user. However, the user mentioned that instead of deducting the amount from his deposit, the company has a policy to pay tax separately.

If 10% of the accumulated amount is not given within two days, the user's amount will be zero. Those who deposited more money on the platform paid 10 percent tax. But their account was also opened and not opened.

"When I request to withdraw the amount, I am only seeing a pending notice," said a victim. The company, which claims to have its headquarters in America, later ceased to operate. Neither the government could take action against that platform, nor could cyber security experts do anything. This was only about five months ago. 

According to a person who has been studying online scams since 2018, FIFA is also being operated by a similar group for the same purpose. "Initially they attract people by providing good income," said the person, who asked not to be named, "now after defrauding them of millions, they are asking to pay tax in crypto to withdraw the money."

For that, the company has asked to pay 100 USDT (cryptocurrency) tax. The user asked to deduct the amount in his Fifia account and pay the balance, but the platform refused to do so.

“Even now, the platform does not give refunds to all users who pay 100 USDT,” he said. However, even if you pay 100 USD in the hope of getting it, the chances of sinking are high.”

Fifa issued a notice on the website and stated that after October 2, users can withdraw funds in the normal way. However, the person who is studying this has speculated that the platform will be closed in Nepal on September 25 to 27.

Currently, users are complaining on WhatsApp and Telegram that they are not able to deposit or withdraw money in the normal way on this platform.