KATHMANDU: Police on Wednesday arrested a youth who allegedly swindled earthquake-hit locals of Sankhu area on the outskirts of Kathmandu claiming he would provide them relief materials.

Sujan Rai (29), a permanent resident of Aasibhui VDC-3 of Sankhuwasabha district, was arrested from Shankarapur Municipality-3 today.

Police said Rai had presented himself as a staffer of a relief agency and assured quake survivors that he would help them get identity cards.

He had even claimed that the card would enable one to get Rs 1.5 million subsidised loan and charged each of the survivors Rs 1,600 for filling up the forms.

Some locals, however, suspected his activities and submitted him to police.

Meanwhile, police seized various forged papers and Rs 3,800 from the suspect.

Further investigation is underway.