Fraudsters attempt to extort money from relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal
State police warn of fraud attempts targeting relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal. 33 Latvian residents are still considered missing without trace.
Fraudsters exploit Nepal catastrophe to extort money from families of the missing
Google News LV — Crime (lv) reports that State police have received information about several cases in which fraudsters have attempted to obtain money from people whose relatives have disappeared without trace in Nepal.
Fraudsters have invited the relatives of victims to in-person meetings, promising "latest" information about the location and identification of the missing persons. Among the offers made have also been services of fortune tellers.
Police have emphasised that assistance and communication provided by state and local government institutions to relatives in this situation is direct and free of charge. Residents who have received such paid offers are urged to report to State police immediately. For accurate and reliable information, law enforcement officials recommend following announcements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The catastrophe began on 26 August, when a glacier collapse caused floods of water and mud in Nepal and China. By the morning of 31 August, at least 900 people had been killed, and about 4,200 were missing without trace.
A large group of Latvian tourists was in close proximity to the disaster, organised by yoga enthusiasts from "Yantra", as well as a smaller group from a local company "Mighty Himalayan Trek". According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, three Latvian residents did not suffer in the floods, but 33 are still considered missing without trace.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)