How Mount Everest guides are accused of drugging climbers in $20m insurance fraud scheme
Mount Everest guides have been accused of secretly drugging foreign climbers to trigger costly helicopter evacuations as part of a $20m insurance fraud scheme, according to an investigation by Nepali police.
Operators of mountain rescue companies in Nepal have been arrested as part of the police operation.
According to reports, a total of 32 people have been charged, and 11 arrests have been made so far.
Police investigations indicate that the scale of the alleged scam is significant, affecting 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. Authorities said more than 300 cases of suspected fake rescues have been identified, with bills totalling nearly $20m charged to climbers and insurance providers.
According to police, these rescue companies secured nearly $20m in payouts from international insurers for evacuations that were unnecessary or, in some cases, entirely fabricated.
The Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said the offences had caused harm to “Nepal’s national pride, prestige and dignity internationally”.
Investigators said guides used different methods to force helicopter evacuations. These included faking medical emergencies and adding large amounts of baking powder to food to cause gastric distress associated with altitude sickness. In other cases, climbers were given medications with excessive amounts of water to trigger similar symptoms.
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