Mount Everest Guides Poisoned Climbers in a $45 Million Scheme

Scam Uncovered on Mount Everest

Mount Everest isn’t just a challenge for climbers; it’s also become a hotspot for scams. A recent report reveals that some guides have been using fear tactics—one method involves secretly tying climbers to food, which makes them feel ill. This alarming scheme has contributed to costly helicopter rescues and hospitalizations as part of an insurance fraud operation totaling around $45 million.

Nepali authorities have charged 32 individuals with organized crime and fraud in connection with this scheme. Those implicated include trekking company owners, helicopter operators, and hospital executives, according to a report.

The crux of the scam lies in fabricating insurance claims that differ significantly from actual events on the mountain. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police found that some guides create “medical emergencies” to trigger rescue operations when tourists venture into high-altitude areas.

One tactic involves convincing tourists, who are hesitant to trek back after a long journey to Everest’s base camp, to pretend they are sick. Guides assure them that this will prompt a helicopter to rescue them.

The second, and perhaps more troubling, method capitalizes on the common experience of altitude sickness at high elevations. Mild symptoms—like decreased blood oxygen or headaches—are often manageable. Typically, climbers just need rest and hydration. However, guides and hotel staff appear to be trained to instill fear, claiming climbers are in grave danger and must be evacuated immediately.

Additionally, guides have been improperly administering altitude sickness medications and adding excessive water to induce symptoms that necessitate a rescue call. In one shocking case, investigators discovered baking powder was mixed into food to make tourists ill.

Insurance companies were then billed falsely for these helicopter flights, which could amount to $12,000 each. The profits from these deceptive actions have been shared among guides, helicopter firms, trekking companies, and hospitals providing fake medical treatment.

The CIB’s investigation commenced earlier this year after six executives from mountain rescue companies were arrested. Estimates suggest the fraudulent gains from involved hospitals and rescue companies exceed $45 million.

Between 2022 and 2025, investigators noted that 4,782 foreign patients were treated by the implicated hospitals, of which 171 incidents were confirmed as fake rescues. Ella International Hospital reportedly received more than $15.87 million from these fraudulent activities, while Sureed International Hospital received over $1.22 million.

Among the rescue operators, the Mountain Rescue Department accounted for 171 fraudulent rescues out of 1,248 chartered flights, filing claims for about $10.31 million. Nepal Charter Service conducted 75 fake rescues and charged $8.2 million. Everest Experience and Assistance has been linked to 71 unusual rescues, resulting in claims totaling approximately $11.04 million.

These developments come amid various scandals facing Nepal’s tourism industry—a sector crucial for over one million jobs. In 2018, a similar fake rescue scam was initially uncovered, prompting the Nepali government to implement reforms that aimed to eliminate middlemen in emergency evacuations.