Scammers target relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal disaster

Latvia's State Police has received reports of scammers attempting to defraud relatives of Latvians who went missing following a natural disaster in Nepal. According to police, the fraudsters have offered to meet in person, promising to share supposedly the latest information about locating and identifying missing people. Among the offered "services" were even predictions from self-proclaimed psychics.

Police clarified that communication and practical assistance from state and municipal institutions to affected families is direct and unmediated, and that no payment is ever requested for such help. Residents who have received paid offers of this kind are urged to report them to the State Police. To obtain accurate and reliable updates on the situation, authorities recommend following official statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Background of the disaster

The warning follows a glacier collapse on August 26, which triggered a flow of ice debris and subsequently a flood of water and mud from a glacial lake. The event caused extensive damage in both Nepal and China. By the morning of August 31, it was confirmed that at least 900 people had died in the disaster, while around 4,200 remained missing.

A large group of Latvian tourists, organized by yoga enthusiasts from the "Yantra" association, was near the site of the disaster at the time, along with a smaller group of Latvians traveling with the local company "Mighty Himalayan Trek." Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that three Latvian citizens who were in the region during the disaster were not harmed by the mudslide, but 33 Latvians are still considered missing.