02.04.2026 23:11
Guides on Mount Everest in Nepal deliberately made climbers sick by adding baking soda to their food, then defrauded international insurance companies of about 20 million dollars through expensive helicopter evacuations.
The world's highest mountain, Everest, is in the news this time due to a scandal.
THEY SET UP A $20 MILLION NETWORK
Everest mountain guides are accused of establishing a $20 million fraud network by deliberately making climbers sick. Nepali authorities are facing fraud charges against 32 individuals, including the owners of trekking companies, helicopter operators, and hospital officials. Prosecutors are seeking approximately $11.3 million in fines.
CARBONATE WAS DELIBERATELY ADDED TO FOODS
According to a report in The New York Post, after the guides ensured that climbers became ill, they led to expensive helicopter evacuations, defrauding international insurance companies of approximately $20 million. Police stated that the guides caused severe gastrointestinal distress with symptoms resembling altitude sickness or food poisoning by deliberately adding carbonate to the climbers' meals. Climbers pressured for the emergency evacuation of the sick climbers by helicopter, then submitted fake medical and flight documents to receive insurance payments. These payments were distributed among the guides, helicopter companies, trekking agencies, and the relevant hospitals.
INVESTIGATION STARTED IN JANUARY
The investigation was launched in January following the detention of 6 executives from 3 different mountain rescue companies. It was recorded that one of the companies illegally obtained over $10 million by falsely representing 171 out of 1,148 rescue requests as real. Another company was reported to have staged 75 fake cases worth approximately $8 million, while a third company submitted at least 71 "fake" requests valued at $1 million.