Six Travel Operators Arrested in Fake Tourist Rescue Scam

Kathmandu, Jan 25: Nepal Police have arrested six travel operators for allegedly defrauding tourists and insurance companies through fake rescue operations carried out under the guise of emergency evacuations from mountainous regions.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) took the suspects into custody on Sunday following investigations into fraudulent transactions linked to so-called tourist rescue missions. Those arrested are Jayaram Rimal, Bibek Pandey, Rabindra Adhikari, Bibekraj Thapaliya, Mukti Pandey and Subhash KC.

Rimal and Pandey are associated with Mountain Rescue Service, Adhikari and Thapaliya with Nepal Charter Services, while Pandey and KC are linked to Everest Experience and Assistance Pvt Ltd.

CIB Chief Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Dr Manoj KC said investigations are underway into serious charges including treason, organised crime and money laundering.

According to the CIB, Mountain Rescue Services Pvt Ltd allegedly prepared fake rescue documents for 171 out of 1,248 cases and claimed more than USD 100 million from insurance companies. Nepal Charter Services Pvt Ltd is accused of fabricating rescue records for 75 individuals while carrying out 471 rescues, claiming USD 8.2 million in insurance payouts.

Similarly, Everest Experience and Assistance Pvt Ltd reportedly conducted 601 rescues but produced false documentation for 71 tourists to claim USD 1.15 million in insurance money.

“We have received multiple complaints related to fake rescue operations. Several irregularities have already been uncovered, and further investigations are ongoing,” AIG KC said.