Everest Scandal: Criminal Network Involved in Poisoning Climbers for Insurance Money

A major scandal has shaken the global adventure tourism sector following the announcement by Nepalese authorities of the dismantling of an organized criminal network involved in fake rescue operations targeting Everest climbers and international insurance companies. These investigations come as the 2026 climbing season begins, causing widespread shock among the international community and climbing enthusiasts.

According to press reports published by "The Times", the network relied on a shocking method of adding bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to the climbers' meals without their knowledge, leading to symptoms mimicking severe altitude sickness, forcing climbers to request medical evacuation via helicopters, resulting in large sums being collected from insurance companies.

Investigations revealed the involvement of several parties in this fraud, including:

Helicopter pilots: They were paid for fake rescue operations that were not carried out.

Doctors and medical centers: They issued false invoices and reports for examinations that did not take place.

Tour organizing companies: They exploited the difficulty of rapid verification in mountainous conditions to make urgent evacuation decisions before obtaining approval from insurance companies.

Authorities recorded over 300 fake rescue operations between 2022 and 2025, leading to massive financial losses estimated at around $20 million, with 33 criminal charges directed at those involved, including organized crimes that threaten the reputation of Nepalese tourism in the mountain adventure sector.

With around 500 climbers preparing to ascend this spring, the lack of effective financial oversight in the high altitudes remains a gap for fraud networks, putting the future of mountain tourism in Nepal to a real test of safety and credibility, amid fears of repeated fraud in the upcoming season.