A viral video showing a French national in a distressed condition near the Pashupatinath area has prompted police clarification, revealing that the situation was not linked to robbery but to financial hardship.
The man was widely believed on social media to have been robbed or abandoned. However, a police investigation found no evidence of any criminal incident. Authorities confirmed that the individual had been living in Nepal for the past six years with his Nepali wife.
According to police findings, the couple had been facing prolonged financial difficulties. As their situation worsened, they were unable to pay their hotel bills and eventually left behind important belongings, including a passport, mobile phone, and laptop.
During questioning, the man reportedly confirmed that none of his belongings had been stolen and that he had not been a victim of theft or assault. Police say the misunderstanding was fuelled by misleading social media posts that quickly gained attention.
The individual has since been located and handed over safely to the Department of Immigration for further procedures.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid sharing unverified content online, warning that such misinformation can create unnecessary panic and spread false narratives. While acknowledging that the video helped bring attention to the situation, police emphasised the importance of verifying facts before circulating information.
The case highlights how quickly misinformation can spread on social media, especially in situations involving foreign nationals, and how such narratives can distort the reality on the ground.
