MORANG: Nilam Kumari Chaudhary, a 39-year-old resident of Bakhari in Ward 12 of Biratnagar Metropolitan City, Morang, is a housewife whose husband works as a security guard. After learning from a neighbor about an office assistant vacancy at the Morang District Court, she decided to apply. She then contacted Punam Devi Shah of Lahan, Siraha, who resides in Biratnagar-5. Shah assured her that the job would be secured if she sent Rs 2,575 via eSewa as an application fee, prompting Nilam to transfer the amount immediately.

When months passed without any news about the office assistant job she had applied for, Nilam grew suspicious. She then inquired at the District Court. Nilam was shocked to find out from the court that there were no advertisements for new employees, including office assistants.

Punam Devi Shah, her husband Sanjay Yadav, and her daughter Komal Kumari Shah had jointly collected money from many people in Morang via eSewa for months by promising them jobs at the court. Surajkala Majhi of Maheshpur, Katari Rural Municipality-1, Morang, also paid Punam Rs 2,575 hoping to get the job of office assistant at the court. After receiving the money, Punam and her family members became unreachable. Only then did Surajkala realize she had been scammed based on a fake advertisement.

Nilam and Surajkala are just representative victims of this fraud case. Punam’s gang spread rumors of job openings at the District Court and collected money from more than 50 young men and women in Morang. So far, 27 victims have filed complaints of fraud with the Morang Police. Morang Police Spokesperson Kopila Chudal informed that the Morang Police arrested Punam, Sanjay, and Komal on October 31 and initiated an investigation under the fraud case.

Victim Nilam Kumari

Punam’s gang ran the fraud scheme using a new method by misusing technology. The gang prepared a fraudulent advertisement for employee recruitment, accurately duplicating the letterhead and seal of the Morang District Court with the date of July 28, 2025. The misleading notice, circulated on social media and WhatsApp as ‘First Published Notice,’ sought 15 local-level Non-Gazetted First Class (Fourth Level), 22 office assistants, and five drivers.

This fake advertisement attracted unemployed young people looking for jobs. Different application fees were specified for various positions in the fraudulent advertisement. Rs 2,575 was set for the office assistant position and Rs 9,575 for the fourth-level position. Arrangements were made for direct money transfer via eSewa, avoiding cash transactions for collection.

To gain the trust of the victims, the gang also created fake identity cards and appointment letters in the name of the Morang District Court. The identity cards clearly stated the employee number, name, rank, citizenship number, blood group, and period of tenure. The fraudulent identity card included the fake seal of the Morang District Court along with the signature of an individual named ‘Kedar Nath Paudel’ as the Administration Officer. Punam lured victims by sending pictures of six or seven people holding similar fake ID cards, claiming she had already secured jobs for them. “Initially, I didn’t believe it. But when Punam sent photos of other people wearing the court ID card, I became fully convinced that I would get the job too,” said victim Nilam Kumari Chaudhary.

Fake advertisement for staff recruitment issued in the name of Morang District Court

The Morang District Court has issued a notice of concern after its name was implicated in the fraud case. Court Information Officer Hem Bahadur Budhathoki stated that it was extremely sad that the name of a sensitive body like the court was misused for fraud. “The District Court never issues its own job advertisements for staff recruitment. The recruitment process for Justice Service employees is conducted only through the Public Service Commission in a fair and transparent manner. If someone asks for money using the court’s name, it is 100 percent fraud,” he said, adding, “I urge the public not to fall for such temptations and to immediately inform the police if anyone brings such a proposal.”

Punam Devi Shah’s criminal activities are not limited to this. She purchased jewelry worth Rs 16,000 around a month ago at a store called ‘Jhumka Darbar’ in Biratnagar-11, introducing herself as a prominent person. Claiming she had no cash, she issued a check. However, after the check bounced, the shop owner, Samjhana Das, filed a police report against Punam.