How’s this for a crazy story! Mount Everest guides have been accused of secretly drugging foreign climbers in order to trigger costly aerial evacuations, forming part of a $30 million insurance fraud scheme uncovered by an investigation by Nepali police.
Authorities say the scale of the alleged scam is significant, affecting 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. More than 300 suspected cases of staged or unnecessary rescues have been identified, with total claims reaching nearly $20 million billed to both climbers and insurance companies.
Police have arrested several operators linked to mountain rescue services in Nepal. According to a spokesperson who spoke to The Independent, 32 individuals have been charged so far, with 11 arrests made as the investigation continues.
The controversy has raised serious concerns about safety and oversight within Nepal’s trekking industry, particularly as the spring climbing season began on 30 March. Investigators believe the scheme involved a network of participants across the trekking sector, including Sherpas, trekking company owners, helicopter operators and hospital officials, all allegedly working together to exploit insurance systems.
The first arrests were made on 25 January, when six operators and managers from rescue companies were detained. They are accused of fraudulently claiming insurance payments by staging rescues of foreign tourists, falsely asserting that the trekkers had become ill during their expeditions.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, with further arrests likely as authorities continue to examine the full extent of the operation.