Everest guides accused of poisoning foreign climbers to force fake rescues in $20m scam

Mount Everest guides accused of secretly giving drugs foreign climbers Will trigger expensive air evacuations as part of $20m (£15m) insurance fraud scheme, investigation finds Nepali police.

operators of the mountain to save companies Nepal They were arrested as part of a police operation and a police spokesman said: Independent It was stated that a total of 32 people have been charged and 11 people have been arrested so far.

The scale of the scam appears to be massive, affecting 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. Police said more than 300 cases of fraudulent rescue claims were uncovered, billing climbers and insurers for nearly $20 million.

The scandal has sparked new scrutiny on tour operators and guides as this year’s spring climbing season kicks off on March 30. Investigators say fraud Sherpas involved many actors in the trekking ecosystem, including trekking company owners, helicopter operators, and hospital administrators.

Police said six operators and managers from rescue companies were the first to be arrested on January 25 for allegedly claiming insurance money by pretending to rescue foreign tourists who they said fell ill while trekking.

These salvage companies managed to obtain payments of approximately $20 million from international insurance companies for unnecessary or, in some cases, completely fabricated rescues.

The Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said the crimes damaged “Nepal’s national pride, prestige and dignity internationally.”

Investigators say guides used various methods, including fraud, to force helicopter evacuations medical emergencies and adding large amounts of baking soda to foods to stimulate stomach upset often associated with altitude sickness. Others were given medications containing excessive amounts of water to trigger symptoms.

After hikers reported nausea, dizziness or body aches, they were advised to descend and accept costly emergency helicopter evacuations. The operators then used fake medical and flight documents to claim the costs from international travel insurers, authorities said.

When a “rescue” was triggered, operators inflated costs by billing each passenger as if they had taken a separate helicopter flight, even if multiple people flew together. Fake flight records and forged medical documents were then used to support exaggerated insurance claims; In some cases, hospitals prepared false admission and treatment reports for tourists who were not actually receiving care.

This isn’t the first time a fake rescue network has been exposed. Kathmandu Post The investigation in 2018 led to a 700-page report by the government, with promises of reform.

However, scams appear to continue. CIB chairman Manoj Kumar KC said: to mail He said this was due to “lax criminal procedures”.

“When no action is taken regarding the crime, crime thrives. As a result, insurance fraud thrives.”

Travel insurance companies had previously threatened to remove their Nepal insurance if the scams continued.

Reports Further details as of 2019 Some foreign visitors will connive with trekking companies and fake acute mountain sickness requiring helicopter rescue in exchange for discounted trips. Insurance documents were checked before being accepted for the trip to ensure that the helicopter company and its “agent” had been paid.

Meanwhile, some unsuspecting hikers allegedly became temporarily ill because their food was laced with baking soda, uncooked chicken and even mouse droppings.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent IndependentHe said: “Anyone lucky enough to visit Nepal, meet amazing people and enjoy some of the best hiking in the world will be shocked to learn of this scam. We first announced it in 2019.

“The vast majority of people and organizations involved in tourism in Nepal are honest and focused on providing the best experience possible. It is important to get reliable advice before choosing a company for your trip.”

Independent Contacted Nepal Tourism Board for comment.

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