Mount Everest Climbers ‘Poisoned’ by Guides Prompting Mass Helicopter Rescues in $20 Million Insurance Fraud Scheme, Police Say

Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau reportedly found the years-long scam generated thousands of dollars for the alleged scammers involved

Stock photo of trekkers walking back to Namche Bazaar from Everest Base Camp trekking in Nepal.Credit : Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau reportedly found that some Mount Everest guides have been “poisoning” climbers as part of a scam that generated $20 million in insurance fraud
On March 12, 32 guides were charged in connection with the scheme, which authorities say impacted 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025
The scam was initially uncovered in 2018, but authorities re-opened their investigation in 2025

Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau reportedly found that some Mount Everest guides have been “poisoning” climbers as part of a $20 million insurance fraud scam.

Thirty-two guides were charged in connection with the scheme, which impacted 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025, on March 12, The Kathmandu Post reports.

The scam was initially uncovered in 2018, but Nepalese police recently re-opened their investigation, according to the Kathmandu Post. As part of the scheme, the guides would “manufacture” an emergency for tourists from foreign countries such as the U.K. or Australia, making it more difficult for insurance companies to verify the incidents in the Kathmandu area of Nepal.

Reaching great heights of 10,000 feet, those who climb Mount Everest are often susceptible to altitude sickness—but Nepalese authorities found that the guides would purposefully put baking powder into climbers’ food to mimic the common symptoms of altitude sickness, then feign the need for emergency services, the outlet reported, citing police.

Climbers were allegedly given diamox (Acetazolamide) tablets, which are used to treat and prevent altitude sickness, with “excessive” amounts of water, per the outlet.

Stock photo of a hiker on a trail during their trek to Everest Base Camp, Nepal.Getty

“Altitude sickness is when your body doesn’t have time to adjust to lower oxygen availability higher up in the atmosphere,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Stock photo of trekkers making their way to Everest base camp near in Lukla, Nepal on April 21, 2022.Zakir Hossain Chowdhury/Anadolu Agency via Getty

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Helicopter companies, local hospitals and other organizations were also allegedly in on the scam, as the guides would falsify the need for emergency helicopter evacuations and further treatment, the Post reports. Era International Hospital allegedly took over $15.87 million, and Shreedhi International Hospital is alleged to have received over $1.22 million in connection with the falsified rescue operations, according to the outlet, citing the police investigation.

Mountain Rescue Service allegedly carried out 171 fraudulent rescues, which allowed it to collect $10.31 million from international insurance companies, according to the Post. Nepal Charter Service allegedly raked in $8.2 million for its part in the scheme, with Everest Experience and Assistance linked to $11.04 million in insurance claims, the outlet reports, citing police.

Everest Insurance Scam: $20 Million Fraud Where Trekkers Were Allegedly Poisoned For Fake Rescues

Nepal police uncover a $20 million Everest scam involving fake rescues and insurance fraud between 2022 and
2025.

Nepal Police uncovered a multi-million dollar insurance scam linked to Mount Everest. According to investigators, guides allegedly poisoned trekkers to create fake medical emergencies and claim insurance payouts.

How The Scam Worked

Investigators said guides mixed baking soda into tourists’ food. This caused severe stomach illness that mimicked altitude sickness.

Once trekkers fell ill, they were pressured into emergency helicopter evacuations.

Authorities said guides, helicopter operators, trekking company owners and hospital executives were involved in the operation.

Fake Emergencies, Real Money

Police said the goal was to create convincing medical emergencies so insurers would approve expensive evacuations and treatments without delay.

The scam involved forged medical records, flight documents and invoices to claim insurance payouts.

According to Nepal Police, the fraud was worth about $20 million, approximately Rs. 185 crore.

Hundreds Of Fake Rescues

Police said more than 300 fake rescues took place between 2022 and 2025. The costs were charged to insurers and climbers.

Authorities charged 32 people under organised crime and fraud laws in one of the largest scandals linked to trekking tourism.

Impact On Trekking And Insurance

Nepal’s tourism industry supports over one million jobs. Officials said rising fraud has pushed some insurers to withdraw trekking coverage.

Case Timeline

The case was first exposed in 2018. It was reopened in 2025, leading to multiple charges.

Around 500 climbers were expected to attempt the ascent this year.