Kathmandu: Authorities in the Himalayan nation have arrested 12 Indian nationals for allegedly running an illegal networking business.

According to police, the accused were arrested from Hotel Yak and Yeti at Durbarmarg on Friday, all residents of Uttar Pradesh.

They were organising an orientation and training to run the illegal networking business for around 300 Nepali nationals at the hotel, The Himalayan Times reported.The Central Bank of Nepal has banned networking business in the country.

“Police arrested the Indians, as they found their activities suspicious,” The Himalayan Times quoted Metropolitan Crime Range DSP Hobindra Bogati, as saying.

”They were asking the people participating in the orientation to invest 1,250 dollars, promising them attractive returns,” said Mr Bogati, adding that sending money to foreign country without any legal channel, was illegal in Nepal.

The accused had opened an unregistered marketing company in Nepal, named Shine Group International. They have already swindled many Nepalis in the name of Shine Group International, according to the DSP.

”Six cases have already been filed against Rashid Nasin (43) of Allahabad, who is the mastermind of the networking business,” said Mr Bogati.

The arrested had lied to people about running a diamond and jewellery-related business, he added.