Kathmandu, April 21 -- A Nepali businessman with a long, controversial history in Malaysia has been arrested over an alleged transnational network involving human trafficking, fake visas and financial crimes worth more than Rs3.37 billion.

Malaysia's Immigration Department made public the arrest of Mahendra Jung Shah, 43, last week. Originally from Kalikot district, Shah was detained in Kuala Lumpur while attempting to flee in a car, according to Malaysian authorities. He was arrested along with eight other people from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Vietnam-aged between 26 and 61.

Authorities seized 111 passports, 10 laptops, six mobile phones, cash amounting to 3,950 ringgit and fake visa stickers during the operation. Official...