Daijiworld Media Network - Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Apr 2: In a shocking development, Nepal Police have charged 32 individuals, including trekking operators and hospital staff, in a multi-million dollar scam involving fake medical emergencies on Mount Everest.
According to investigators, guides working with trekking agencies allegedly added substances such as baking soda to tourists’ food, triggering severe gastrointestinal symptoms that mimicked altitude sickness or food poisoning. Victims were then pressured into agreeing to expensive helicopter evacuations.
Authorities said the accused used forged medical reports and flight documents to claim insurance payouts, with the illicit earnings shared among guides, helicopter companies, trekking agencies and hospitals providing fake treatments.
The scam, estimated to be worth nearly $20 million, came to light following a detailed probe that began earlier this year. Officials said one company alone allegedly fabricated 171 out of 1,248 rescue claims, earning over $10 million, while others are accused of similar fraudulent activities.
Manoj Kumar KC, chief of Nepal’s organised crime unit, said the fraud has severely damaged the country’s reputation. Police estimates suggest that more than 300 fake rescues were carried out between 2022 and 2025.
The case has been given high priority by the courts due to its scale and impact. Prosecutors are seeking fines amounting to $11.3 million.
Nepal’s tourism sector, which supports over one million jobs, has been affected by such incidents, with some international insurers reportedly withdrawing coverage for trekking activities in the region.
The government had earlier introduced reforms in 2018, requiring tour operators to directly handle emergency evacuations and submit detailed reports to authorities. However, officials said the scam persisted and even worsened, prompting the latest crackdown.
With nearly 500 climbers expected during the ongoing season, authorities have assured stricter monitoring to prevent further malpractice and restore confidence in Nepal’s adventure tourism industry.