Mount Everest guides are 'poisoning' foreign climbers to trigger a helicopter rescue as part of a sophisticated network of insurance fraud. Many foreign hikers trekking near Mount Everest, in Kathmandu, Nepal, fall victim to the scam. The other instance involves guides encouraging tired tourists to fake an illness so a helicopter will rescue them instead of walking back. Investigators also revealed that hikers were given Diamox (Acetazolamide) pills, meant to prevent altitude sickness, along with large amounts of water to deliberately trigger symptoms and prompt a helicopter rescue. Era International Hospital raked in over $15.87 million, while Shreedhi International Hospital brought in more than $1.22 million, the outlet reported.

Source: Daily Mail April 03, 2026 07:52 UTC