"Guides poisoned trekkers' food with baking powder, uncooked chicken and even rat droppings to trigger altitude sickness symptoms, then terrified them into unnecessary evacuations."
"Between 2022 and 2025, Nepal's Central Investigation Bureau uncovered over 300 alleged fake rescues affecting 4,782 climbers, revealing a widespread scam."
"In one documented case, four tourists were rescued on a single helicopter but insurers received separate bills totaling $31,100, highlighting the fraudulent billing practices."
"Hospitals paid 20-25% of insurance payouts to trekking companies and another 20-25% to helicopter operators, indicating a collusion in the scam."
In Nepal's Himalayas, a rescue scam has been uncovered where guides poisoned trekkers' food to induce altitude sickness and force unnecessary helicopter evacuations. Investigators found over 300 fake rescues from 2022 to 2025, impacting nearly 4,800 climbers. Insurers were billed separately for rescues, with one case totaling $31,100 for four tourists. Hospitals were complicit, fabricating admission records and sharing 20-25% of insurance payouts with trekking companies and helicopter operators. Authorities have charged 32 individuals involved in this fraudulent scheme.
Read at Entrepreneur
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