Fraudsters exploit Nepal disaster to extort money from relatives of missing Latvians
The State Police warn of fraudsters demanding money from relatives of 33 missing Latvians in Nepal. Such offers should be reported to police.
Police warn: fraudsters approach families of Latvians missing in Nepal
The State Police have received reports of fraudulent attempts to obtain money from relatives of Latvians who are considered missing without trace in Nepal, the State Police told the news agency LETA. These incidents are also being reported by TVNET.
The fraudsters have offered personal meetings and promised to provide "latest" information about the search and identification of the missing persons. Among the services offered were also search and rescue services.
The police have stressed that state and local government institutions provide support to relatives directly and free of charge. To obtain accurate and current information, law enforcement urges the public to follow announcements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If residents have received paid offers in this connection, they should immediately report this to the State Police.
The catastrophe in Nepal occurred on 26 August, when a glacier collapse triggered mudslides and floods that affected both Nepal and China. By 31 August, the death toll had reached at least 900, with approximately 4,200 people missing without trace.
A large group of Latvian tourists was at the epicentre of the incident, organised by yoga enthusiasts from "Yantra", as well as a smaller group from a local company "Mighty Himalayan Trek". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three Latvian citizens were not harmed in the floods, but 33 are still considered missing without trace.
Source: TVNET