Police have foiled a multi-million land scam with the arrest of a fraudster from the Dillibazaar-based Land Revenue Office (LRO) on Friday. A team deployed by the Metropolitan Police Circle Maharajgunj caught Ram Kumar Shah, hailing from Morang, while he was trying to defraud a prospective client of over Rs. 10 million on the pretext of selling 20 ropanis of land in Kavresthali on the outskirts of the Capital.

Shah’s crime came to light only when one of the victims, Nabin Nakarmi of Lagantol, lodged a complaint with the police. A preliminary investigation, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Thapa, in charge of the Circle, indicates that Shah had long been involved in fraudulent activities. “The land ownership certificate as well as written agreement that Shah had made with Nakarmi has turned out to be forged,” Thapa said. While combing through the document, the investigators found that the document bearing the signature of an administrative officer of the LRO, Ram Mani Subedi and office seals were forged. When police enquired about Subedi, the office had no staffer with the name. Nakarmi had reportedly given Rs. 120,000 to Shah for six annas of land in Kavresthali. DSP Thapa said Shah, who worked as a draftsman in the office, was trying to defraud another person of over Rs. 10 million. But Shah’s attempt could not materialise as the police team was pressed into action soon after receiving complaints from Nagarkoti.

So far only two victims have come in contact with the police but those cheated are suspected to be more. “Investigation is on to find his involvement in other criminal activities,” said Thapa.

source: The Kathmandu Post (2010),"Multi-million land scam foiled, fraudster in dock",The Kathmandu Post, 27 Novemver 2010, p.2