Everest Guides Accused of Poisoning Climbers to Stage Fake Rescues in $20M Insurance Fraud Scheme Nepali police have accused guides working on Mount Everest of secretly drugging foreign climbers to trigger costly aerial evacuations as part of a $20 million insurance fraud scheme. The investigation, led by the Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), revealed that operators of mountain rescue companies orchestrated the scam between 2022 and 2025, affecting 4,782 international climbers. Over 300 alleged fake rescue cases were uncovered, with insurance payouts totaling nearly $20 million. The scandal has intensified scrutiny over tour operators, guides, and rescue services as this year’s spring climbing season began on March 30. Investigators identified a network of actors across the trekking industry, including sherpas, trekking company owners, helicopter operators, and hospital executives. Six rescue company operators and managers were arrested on January 25 for allegedly faking rescues to claim insurance money. These companies reportedly extracted nearly $20 million from international insurers by fabricating emergency evacuations for tourists who had not fallen ill. The CIB stated that the fraud harmed Nepal’s national reputation, damaging its standing internationally. According to the investigation, guides used various methods to force helicopter evacuations. Some faked medical emergencies, while others laced food with baking powder to induce symptoms of altitude sickness. Others administered excessive water with medications to trigger nausea, dizziness, or body aches. Once climbers reported these symptoms, they were advised to descend and agree to expensive emergency evacuations. Operators then used forged medical and flight documents to claim costs from travel insurers.#kathmandu_post #nepal_police #central_investigation_bureau #nepal_tourism_board #simon_calder
