Nepal: Travel Execs Arrested in $20M Helicopter Rescue Scam
- Authorities in Nepal have arrested six individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale fraud involving fake helicopter rescues of tourists and trekkers.
- The arrests, carried out by Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) last week, targeted executives from three prominent trekking and rescue agencies: Mountain Rescue Service Pvt.
- Those arrested include Jayaram Rimal, Chairman of Mountain Rescue Service Pvt.
Nepal Cracks Down on Fake Helicopter Rescue Scam, Six Arrested
Authorities in Nepal have arrested six individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale fraud involving fake helicopter rescues of tourists and trekkers. The scheme, which allegedly took place between 2022 and 2025, defrauded international insurance companies of nearly $20 million.
The arrests, carried out by Nepal’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) last week, targeted executives from three prominent trekking and rescue agencies: Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd., Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd., and Everest Experience and Assistance. According to a statement released Monday by CIB spokesperson Shiva Kumar Shrestha, the investigation is ongoing.
Those arrested include Jayaram Rimal, Chairman of Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd.. Bibek Pandey, Manager of Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd.; Rabindra Adhikari, Director/Chairman of Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd.; Bibekraj Thapaliya, Operations Manager of Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd.; Mukti Pandey, Managing Director of Everest Experience and Assistance; and Subash KC, Director of Everest Experience and Assistance.
The CIB investigation revealed a systematic conspiracy to prioritize profit over safety. Authorities discovered forged documents, including passenger and cargo manifests for helicopter flights misrepresented as emergency rescues, falsified medical invoices, and fabricated hospital reports submitted to insurance companies.
One company, Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd., is accused of submitting 171 fake rescue claims out of a total of 1,248, resulting in unjustified payouts exceeding $10 million. Everest Experience and Assistance allegedly fabricated 75 of 471 claimed rescues, fraudulently claiming $8 million, while Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd. Is accused of making 71 fake claims totaling over $1 million in payouts.
Nepal is a popular destination for climbers and trekkers, attracting thousands of visitors annually to its Himalayan peaks. Due to the remote and challenging terrain, helicopter rescues are frequently required for those suffering from altitude sickness, exhaustion, or other medical emergencies. Climbers are required to provide proof of insurance covering helicopter rescue before being issued climbing permits.
The lack of roads and limited medical facilities in the mountainous regions often necessitate expensive helicopter evacuations to hospitals in Kathmandu. This reliance on helicopter rescues created an opportunity for unscrupulous operators to exploit the system, according to investigators.
The CIB is pursuing charges under the Organized Crime Act, alleging a deliberate and coordinated effort to defraud insurance companies. This crackdown represents a significant effort to address a long-standing problem within Nepal’s trekking industry, which has been plagued by concerns over fraudulent rescue claims for years. A 2018 government probe identified 15 companies linked to similar schemes, but scams continued despite warnings from insurers and government guidelines.
The arrests were described as a “national interest victory” by EncountersNepal.com, highlighting the importance of protecting the integrity of Nepal’s tourism industry and ensuring the safety of visitors.