Ncell has warned customers about fake Facebook pages and links that use its name and logo to advertise cash prizes tied to the company’s anniversary, according to a report published on 12 October.
The telecom operator urged people to check any promotion through official channels and not to share personal information through suspicious links.
The warning matters because such offers can look genuine at a glance. A logo, a familiar profile photo or a large following does not show that a page belongs to Ncell. Anyone who clicks, logs in or shares a code may put money or accounts at risk
The 12 October report said Facebook pages and links were impersonating Ncell to promote fake anniversary cash prizes. It said users were warned against clicking suspicious links and sharing sensitive details.
Ncell’s own fraud-prevention page gives similar advice. It tells customers to check offers on the company’s official website and social channels, not to share Ncell app PINs, and to contact customer care if a message looks suspicious.
How to spot a fake prize offer
This checklist draws on the reported warning and Ncell’s published guidance.
- A prize you never entered for. Be wary of unexpected claims that you have won cash, a phone or another valuable prize.
- A link asking you to claim it. Check the full web address. Do not log in through a link from an unknown account.
- A request for an OTP, password or PIN. OTP means one-time password. Never give these codes to anyone arranging a prize.
- A request for bank details or an advance fee. Do not pay a supposed processing, tax or delivery fee without checking the promotion independently.
- Pressure to share or tag friends. Scam posts may push people to comment, share or message an account to spread the offer.
- A page that only looks official. Do not trust a page because it uses Ncell’s logo or colours.
Do not judge an offer by how it looks. Find the promotion yourself through Ncell’s official website or social channels. If you call customer care, use a number from Ncell’s official site, not one given in the suspicious message.
Ncell lists its customer-care numbers as 9005 for Ncell prepaid, 9007 for Ncell Pro and Biz, and 9809005000 for calls from other operators. It lists the service as available 24 hours a day.
Where to report a suspected scam
Start with Ncell. Use its official contact page, call customer care, or email [email protected]. Send the page name, link, screenshots and the number or account that contacted you.
For suspected online fraud, the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau has complaint forms, including one for online financial fraud. Complaints can be made in person at its Bhotahity office.
If that is not possible, the Bureau says people can email [email protected]. Its listed number is 01-5319044.
Nepal Police also says people outside Kathmandu Valley can file cybercrime complaints at a nearby or district police office.
Keep screenshots and web addresses. The Cyber Bureau’s guidance also points to transaction vouchers and chat histories where they apply.
If you already clicked or shared information
- Entered a password: change it at once through the genuine app or service, and secure any other account that uses the same password.
- Shared an OTP, PIN or bank details: contact the bank, wallet provider or service through its official channel and ask what protection is available.
- Sent money: tell your bank or payment provider promptly, file a police complaint, and keep the transaction reference, receipt and messages.
- Only received the message: do not reply, call the sender, click the link or forward it. Save evidence, report it, and block the account.
What this means for Nepali abroad
Posts like these travel easily between family members in Nepal and abroad, because a prize link can be forwarded in seconds. The same rule applies wherever you live: do not enter passwords, OTPs or bank details on a page you reached through a prize post.
