Fake rescue scam: 2 more arrested, 9 in custody
The CIB has launched investigations under charges of acting against national interest and organized crime.
KATHMANDU: Police have arrested two more people on charges of defrauding foreign nationals who came to Nepal for mountaineering by performing ‘fake rescues’.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has taken into custody former vice president of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal, Rajendra Bahadur Singh, and Sandeep Tiwari, director of Royal Holidays Adventure and Travel Company.
Tiwari was arrested on Tuesday, followed by Singh on Wednesday morning.
With these arrests, a total of nine people—including trekking and rescue company operators, hospital administrators, local agents of foreign insurance companies, and shareholders/directors of helicopter companies—have been detained in connection with the case.
Earlier, on Feb 8, Dr. Girvanraj Timilsina, director of Shriddhi Hospital, was also arrested.
The CIB has launched investigations under charges of acting against national interest and organized crime.
How the Investigation Began
The investigation started after the CIB received information on January 24 (Magh 11) that foreign tourists were being defrauded of insurance claims through a coordinated scheme.
Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of six individuals.
According to allegations, tourists were made to appear artificially ill, airlifted by helicopter for “rescue,” admitted to hospitals, and then used to claim insurance payouts fraudulently.
Earlier arrests in the case include:
- Jayram Rimal, director of Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd., and manager Vivek Pandey
- Ravindra Adhikari, director of Nepal Chartered Services, and operations manager Vivekraj Thapaliya
- Mukti Pandey, director of Everest Experience and Associates Pvt. Ltd., and manager Subash KC
The CIB continues to investigate the full network involved in this organized fraud targeting foreign climbers.
