Kathmandu, April 2:

A police team from the Valley Crime Investigation Branch (VCIB), Hanumandhoka, has arrested five persons on charges of cheating over 15 persons.

According to police, Purushottam Adhikari of Nawalparasi, Jiban Bista of Kavre, Shyamshekhar Koirala and Ram Avatar Chaudhary of Rautahat, Arjun Adhikari of Nawalparasi were arrested some days ago on the charge of swindling over Rs 1 million from several persons.

The police said that the group of five persons had taken between Rs 50,000 and 70,000 from each promising to send them to Gulf countries for employment.

The police started investigation after a group of people including Rajendra Tuladhar, Nara Bhupal Pradhan, Kaji Shrestha, Yam Koirala and Sagun Nakarmi filed a complaint at the police station against them.

The cheats had an office named Sunflower Manpower at New Baneshwor. “First, they asked us to fill up forms. After 15 days, they told us that our forms were approved by the employer agent and asked us to pay Rs 70,000 and submit all necessary documents,” Nara Bhupal said. According to him, the amount differed from person to person.

“When we paid the money, they asked us to come to the office after 10 days,” he said, adding: “When we reached the office after 10 days, the office was not there.”

The police said they have started taking statements from the accused and further investigation is on .