Nepal’s spring Everest climbing season has begun under a cloud, as police investigate an alleged insurance fraud scheme worth nearly $20 million. The case involves trekking guides, helicopter operators, hospital staff, and agents accused of staging or exaggerating medical emergencies to claim costly evacuation payouts.
According to investigators, the scam involved deliberately inducing symptoms in trekkers to justify helicopter rescues. Tactics reportedly included mixing baking soda into food to cause nausea, administering excessive doses of Diamox along with forced overhydration to mimic high-altitude cerebral edema, and even using laxatives to weaken climbers. Authorities allege that fake flight records, invoices, and hospital documents were then created to support fraudulent insurance claims.
Shiva Kumar Shrestha of Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau confirmed that multiple actors across the rescue chain—including hospitals and helicopter companies—are under scrutiny.
Industry experts say misuse of rescue services has grown in recent years, raising concerns about the availability of helicopters for genuine emergencies. Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks warned that the fallout could damage trust among international insurers, potentially affecting Nepal’s trekking industry.
Lukas Furtenbach, head of Furtenbach Adventures, described the alleged operation as highly organised, claiming that fake medical reports and discharge summaries were used to process large-scale fraudulent claims.
Police believe the racket operated between 2022 and 2025, involving more than 300 staged rescues. In several cases, trekkers were allegedly made ill intentionally before being airlifted to Kathmandu and billed to insurers using forged documentation.
So far, 32 individuals have been charged in connection with organised crime offences. Nine suspects are in custody, while 23 remain absconding. Authorities have also expanded the probe to include companies such as Mountain Rescue Service, Nepal Charter Service, and Shreedhi Hospital.
Investigators say one common method involved placing multiple trekkers on a single helicopter while billing insurers as if each had taken separate private flights. Trekkers were also reportedly pressured to exaggerate symptoms to justify evacuations.
Central Investigation Bureau chief Manoj Kumar KC stated that authorities have substantial evidence and intend to prosecute all those involved.
Veteran expedition leader Garrett Madison highlighted the broader impact, noting that helicopters are increasingly being used for minor issues, turning a critical rescue service into what he called a “mountain taxi.” He warned that this could endanger climbers facing real emergencies.
The investigation has also uncovered alleged commission payments within the system. A doctor linked to Shreedhi Hospital admitted that the hospital shared earnings with trekking and rescue companies to generate business.
Nepal Tourism Board CEO Deepak Raj Joshi said that corrective measures could help restore confidence in the country’s rescue and trekking systems as the probe continues.
