Mount Everest climbers 'secretly poisoned' in alleged £15m plot
Police in Nepal have charged 32 people with organized crime and fraud in a large insurance scam worth about $20 million. The case is connected to Mount Everest tourism and involves guides, helicopter companies, trekking agencies, and hospitals. Authorities say this is one of the most serious fraud cases in the country’s tourism industry.
Investigators say that some guides secretly added baking soda to the food of foreign climbers. This caused stomach problems such as nausea, pain, and discomfort. These symptoms are similar to altitude sickness or food poisoning, so the tourists believed they were seriously ill and needed medical help.
Because of this, the guides convinced the tourists to agree to expensive helicopter evacuations. After the rescue, fake medical records and flight documents were created. These documents were then used to request large payments from international insurance companies.
Authorities also discovered that the money was shared among many groups, including guides, helicopter operators, trekking agencies, and hospitals. In some cases, one helicopter carrying several passengers was reported as separate flights. This allowed them to claim more money than the actual cost of the trip.
The scam was uncovered earlier this year, and officials say it is one of the most complex fraud networks in tourism. Nepal has tried to reduce insurance fraud in the past, but the problem continues. This situation has made some international insurance companies hesitant to operate in the country.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source:https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mount-Everest-climbers-secretly- |
