Business on Everest has gotten so robust, we’re now dealing with insurance scams on the Roof of the World. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Mount Everest is the location of an alleged $20-million insurance scam. Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau uncovered the massive fraud in 2018 and has reportedly reopened the investigation, which outlines a network of helicopter companies, hospitals, and guides all coordinating in various ways to report falsified treatments, evacuations, and more, according to a report in The Independent. One of the most shocking allegations in the investigation includes Everest guides effectively poisoning climbers at the onset of some of the claimed evacuations.
The poisoning scam reportedly involved climbers who would experience common altitude sickness. Their guides would then urge them to take acetazolamide tablets to treat their symptoms. Drinking excessive amounts of water with those tablets, however, worsens symptoms. So guides would encourage climbers to drink more water than necessary in order to trigger the need for evacuations. One particular case alleges a guide mixed baking powder into a climber’s food in order to get them sick and eventually call for a helicopter to extract them. Police say there were 300 cases of fake rescues with bills totalling nearly $20 million in charges to insurance companies and climbers themselves.
There were a reported 171 unnecessary helicopter rescues as the result of the various scams sparked by guides, amounting to rescue services collecting tens of millions. In total, the case involves 4,782 climbers between 2022 and 2025, with 32 Everest guides being charged.
“Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Nepal, meet the fabulous people and enjoy some of the world’s best trekking will be shocked to learn of this scam,” said Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent. “The vast majority of people and organizations involved in tourism in Nepal are honest and focused on providing the best possible experience. It’s important to seek reliable recommendations before choosing a company for your trip.”
