Fake #Everest summiteers banned by Nepal for 10 years https://t.co/OvXkYtYBJb pic.twitter.com/jvjNyhaDV9
— BMC (@Team_BMC) August 30, 2016
An Indian couple, both of whom are police officers in the town of Pune in western India, were found to have photoshoped images to make it appear as if they were the first couple to climb Mount Everest, a claim that would have brought them considerably more notoriety, and perhaps monetary gain.
The couple released the photos this spring and Nepalese tourism apparently verified them before launching an investigation after massive skepticism spread through the climbing community.
“Our investigation shows that the couple faked their summit. We have imposed a 10-year ban against them from climbing any mountain in Nepal,” said Sudarshan Prasad Dhakal with the Nepalese tourism department.
It’s fairly easy to see the comparison in the pictures above, released by the BMC. The police department where the couple worked also conducted its own investigation into the incident releasing a statement that ripped the couple, accusing them of dirtying the reputation of the police force and bringing shame to the entire country. The couple has apparently disappeared and not made contact with authorities about the incident.
