Officials in Nepal have uncovered what they describe as a large‑scale insurance fraud scheme along popular Mount Everest trekking routes, alleging that a network of local guides, helicopter operators and medical staff deliberately made foreign climbers ill to trigger costly emergency rescues. The case, which investigators say involved millions of pounds in bogus claims, has raised fresh concerns about safety and oversight in one of the world's most famous adventure tourism destinations.
According to police, tourists were allegedly poisoned to create fake medical emergencies that could be billed to international travel insurers. The scandal has damaged the reputation of Himalayan tourism and left local authorities managing the legal fallout from an international fraud operation.
