Nepal Blocks Over 223,000 Illegal Betting and Scam Platforms

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has blocked more than 223,000 websites and mobile applications involved in online betting, scams, and illegal financial transactions, stepping up efforts to curb cybercrime and enforce government policy. According to the NTA, a total of 223,568 platforms have been blocked following the government's governance reform agenda issued on March 26, which directed authorities to shut down online betting and scam-related platforms within 24 hours of identification. The crackdown intensified amid concerns that online betting activity could rise during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. To strengthen enforcement, the NTA has formed a dedicated task force that works closely with internet service providers (ISPs) to identify and block illegal platform URLs. Officials said the authority is also using advanced threat intelligence tools to continuously monitor and detect newly created websites, as many operators relaunch blocked platforms under different names. The NTA has further encouraged the public to report suspicious websites through its online reporting platform, aiming to strengthen efforts against online fraud and illegal digital financial activities.