Guides on Mount Everest allegedly poisoned climbers to create fake medical emergencies and collect insurance payouts, Nepal police said. Thirty-two people, including trekking operators and hospital staff, have been charged in connection with the $20 million scam, as per the Kathmandu Post.
Investigators said guides working with trekking agencies added baking soda to tourists' meals, causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms. This mimicked altitude sickness and food poisoning. Once the visitors fell ill, they were pressured into agreeing to costly helicopter evacuations. Authorities claim operators used forged medical and flight documents to claim insurance payouts.
Some tourists are persuaded to fake sickness, while others may be deliberately made ill through incorrect drugs or food additives.
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The illicit gains were reportedly shared among guides, helicopter companies, trekking agencies, and hospitals where tourists received fake treatments. The investigation began in January with the arrest of six executives from three major mountain rescue firms. Authorities say the scheme generated at least $19.69 million in fraudulent claims.
One company allegedly faked 171 of 1,248 claimed rescues, netting over $10 million. A second company is accused of fabricating 75 of 471 rescues, claiming $8 million. A third allegedly made 71 false claims worth more than $1 million. Prosecutors are seeking total fines of $11.3 million. A court spokesperson said the case is a high priority due to its profile.
Nepal's tourism industry supports over one million jobs, but rising fraud has led some international insurers to stop covering trekking tourists. In 2018, the government eliminated intermediaries in emergency evacuations, requiring tour operators to take responsibility for clients and submit rescue and treatment details to the Department of Tourism.
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Manoj Kumar KC, chief of Nepal's specialised organised crime unit, told The Times that “they tainted the country's image”. Police said more than 300 fake rescues occurred between 2022 and 2025. The scam was first exposed in 2018. Nepal police reopened the case last year and concluded it had worsened, leading to the mass charges. Nearly 500 climbers are expected during this spring's climbing season.
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