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A drained e-wallet, a hacked account, a fake profile, a screenshot used to threaten — cyber crime in Nepal has moved from rare to routine, and most victims do not know they have only 35 days to act.
Cyber crime in Nepal is governed mainly by the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 and investigated by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police. Knowing the law, the deadline, and how to file a complaint properly is what turns a victim into a complainant with a real chance of redress.
This guide explains cyber crime in Nepal in 2026 — the governing law, the common types, how and where to report, the evidence to preserve, and the strict complaint deadline.
Cyber crime in Nepal is punishable mainly under the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (Chapter 9, Sections 44–57), supported by the privacy provisions of the Muluki Criminal Code 2074 and the Individual Privacy Act 2075. Complaints are investigated by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police and can be filed online, at the Cyber Bureau in Kathmandu, or at any district police office. The limitation period is short — generally 35 days from the date you become aware of the offence — so preserve evidence and report promptly.
Notary Kathmandu provides document notarization, certified true copies, and multilingual translation for individuals and businesses across Nepal.
We do not investigate cyber crime — that is the Cyber Bureau's role — but a notarised affidavit or certified copy of evidence can support a complaint. Our notary services in Kathmandu can help with that. Get your documents notarized in Kathmandu →
What Is Cyber Crime in Nepal?
Cyber crime is any offence committed using computers, the internet, or digital devices — from hacking and online fraud to harassment and the misuse of personal data. As more of life moves online, the category has grown quickly, and Nepal's law and police have built dedicated tools to respond.
The point most people miss is that these are real crimes with real penalties, not just "online problems." A threatening message, a stolen password, or a fake profile can all be the basis of a formal complaint.
Key takeaway: Cyber crime covers offences committed through computers and the internet — and in Nepal they are prosecutable crimes, not merely online nuisances.
Which Laws Govern Cyber Crime in Nepal?
Several laws work together, with one at the centre.
- Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (2008) — Nepal's principal "cyber law". Chapter 9, Sections 44 to 57, defines computer-related offences and their punishments.
- Muluki Criminal Code 2074 — its privacy provisions support cyber-crime cases involving personal violations.
- Individual Privacy Act 2075 (2018) — protects personal data and privacy, relevant to many online offences.
The Electronic Transactions Act is the backbone, and most cyber-crime prosecutions rest on its Chapter 9 provisions.
Key takeaway: The Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (Chapter 9) is the core cyber law, backed by the Muluki Criminal Code 2074 and the Individual Privacy Act 2075.
Common Types of Cyber Crime in Nepal
The Cyber Bureau handles a recognisable set of offences. The most common include:
- Hacking and account takeover
- Online financial fraud — phishing, OTP fraud, and e-wallet fraud
- Identity theft and fake social-media profiles
- Cyber-bullying and online harassment
- Sextortion and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images
- Child sexual abuse material
- Data breaches and digital copyright violations
- E-commerce fraud and ransomware or malware attacks
Key takeaway: Hacking, online financial fraud, fake profiles, harassment, and sextortion are among the most commonly reported cyber crimes in Nepal.
How to Report Cyber Crime in Nepal
There are several routes, and you no longer have to travel to Kathmandu to start.
Online and at the Cyber Bureau
You can file an online complaint through the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police at its official portal (cyberbureau.nepalpolice.gov.np), or report in person at the Cyber Bureau in Kathmandu, which investigates cyber-crime cases.
At Any District Police Office
Since a 2023 directive, all 77 district police offices can register cyber-crime complaints, which are investigated locally and transferred to the Bureau where necessary. This makes reporting far easier outside the capital.
In an Emergency
For an emergency, dial the Nepal Police control room on 100. For serious cases outside Kathmandu, report at your nearest district police office, which forwards them on.
Key takeaway: Report online to the Cyber Bureau, in person at the Bureau in Kathmandu, or at any district police office — and dial 100 in an emergency.
Evidence and the 35-Day Deadline
Two things decide whether a complaint succeeds: evidence and timing.
Preserve evidence immediately. Keep screenshots that show the URL, chat logs, transaction receipts, phone numbers, and account details. Do not delete the messages or posts. When you file, you will describe the incident factually and upload this evidence, and original documents may need to be submitted physically within a few days.
Watch the deadline. Under Section 55 of the Electronic Transactions Act, the limitation period is short — generally 35 days from the date you become aware of the offence. Miss it and your complaint may not be entertained, so act promptly the moment you discover the crime.
A notarised affidavit setting out the facts, or a certified copy of evidence, can strengthen the record you submit.
Key takeaway: Preserve screenshots, logs, and receipts, and file within about 35 days of learning of the offence — the short deadline is unforgiving.
How a Notary Can Help — and Cannot
To be clear: Notary Kathmandu does not investigate cyber crime or file police cases. Investigation and prosecution are the work of the Cyber Bureau and the courts.
Where a notary can genuinely assist is the supporting documentation. A notarised affidavit or sworn statement describing what happened, and certified copies of the evidence you are submitting, can support a complaint or a related civil matter. That is the limit of a notary's role here.
Key takeaway: A notary cannot investigate or prosecute cyber crime, but a notarised affidavit and certified copies of evidence can support your complaint.
Conclusion: Act Fast, Document Everything
Cyber crime in Nepal is now common enough that knowing the basics is self-defence. The law — led by the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 — gives you a clear route to complain, the Cyber Bureau and every district police office will take the report, and the evidence on your own phone is often the case. The one unforgiving element is the roughly 35-day deadline.
Notary Kathmandu does not handle cyber-crime investigations. What we can do is the document layer — a notarised affidavit of the facts, or certified copies of your evidence — to support a complaint.
If you need a sworn statement notarised, see our affidavit services or talk to our team in Kathmandu. Get your documents notarized in Kathmandu →
Reviewed by: The Legal Team at Notary Kathmandu — Nepal Bar Council registered advocates
Last reviewed: April 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, advertisement, or solicitation. Notary Kathmandu and its team are not liable for any consequences arising from reliance on this information. For legal advice, please contact us directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cyber crime in Nepal is governed mainly by the Electronic Transactions Act 2063.
File online at the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police portal, report at the Bureau in Kathmandu, or at any district police office.
The limitation period is generally 35 days from the date you become aware of the offence, so it is important to report promptly.
Cyber crime includes hacking and account takeover, online financial fraud such as phishing and OTP or e-wallet fraud, identity theft and fake profiles, cyber-bullying and harassment, sextortion, child sexual abuse material, data breaches, digital copyright violations, e-commerce fraud, and ransomware attacks.
The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police investigates cyber-crime cases. Since a 2023 directive, district police offices can also register complaints and investigate locally, transferring serious or complex cases to the Cyber Bureau as needed.
Yes. You can file an online complaint through the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police's official portal. You fill in your identity and contact details and a factual description of the incident, and upload evidence such as screenshots, chat logs, and transaction receipts.
Preserve screenshots that clearly show the URL, chat logs, transaction receipts, phone numbers, and account details, and do not delete the original messages or posts. You may also need to submit original documents physically within a few days of filing.
The Electronic Transactions Act 2063 (2008) is Nepal's principal cyber law. Its Chapter 9, Sections 44 to 57, defines computer-related offences and their punishments, and most cyber-crime prosecutions rest on these provisions.
Yes. Since a 2023 directive, all 77 district police offices can register cyber-crime complaints, so you no longer have to travel to the Cyber Bureau in Kathmandu. Local police investigate and forward serious cases to the Bureau where necessary.
Preserve all evidence at once — screenshots with the URL, chat logs, and transaction details — and avoid deleting anything. Then report promptly, online or at a police office, keeping the roughly 35-day deadline in mind. Acting fast protects both the evidence and your right to complain.
Yes. Cyber-bullying and online harassment are among the offences handled under Nepal's cyber-crime framework, alongside sextortion and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Victims can file a complaint with the Cyber Bureau or a district police office.
It can support it. A notarised affidavit setting out the facts of what happened, and certified copies of the evidence you submit, can strengthen the record in a complaint or a related civil matter. The investigation itself, however, is carried out by the Cyber Bureau and police.
Punishments are set under the Electronic Transactions Act 2063, which prescribes fines and imprisonment depending on the offence, and may be supplemented by the Muluki Criminal Code 2074 and the Individual Privacy Act 2075. The exact penalty depends on the nature and severity of the crime.
No. Notary Kathmandu does not investigate cyber crime or file police cases — that is the role of the Cyber Bureau and the courts. We help only with supporting documents, such as a notarised affidavit of the facts or certified copies of evidence.
Yes. In an emergency you can dial the Nepal Police control room on 100. For serious cases outside Kathmandu, report at your nearest district police office, which will forward the matter to the Cyber Bureau where needed.
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