Nepal CIB Arrests Travel and Rescue Operators Over Fake Rescue, Insurance Fraud

Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested several operators of travel and rescue companies on allegations of defrauding tourists and insurance firms by staging fake rescue operations.

CIB Chief Additional Inspector General (AIG) Manoj KC said the arrests were made after securing court approval. Those detained include Jayaram Rimal, Bibek Pandey, Rabindra Adhikari, Bibekraj Thapaliya, Mukti Pandey, and Subash KC. They are being investigated on charges related to crimes against national interest, organized crime, illicit financial gain, and money laundering.

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

According to the investigation, Mountain Rescue Service claimed to have rescued 1,248 individuals, but 171 of those rescues were found to be fake, leading to insurance claims exceeding USD 10 million. Nepal Charter Service reported 471 rescues, of which 75 were fake, resulting in insurance claims of approximately USD 8.2 million. Similarly, Everest Experience and Assistance claimed 601 rescues, with 71 found to be suspicious and linked to insurance claims worth USD 1.153 million.

The CIB said the accused operated an organized network that used forged documents to conduct fake tourist rescues and illegally claim insurance payouts. Police noted that the case has caused serious damage to Nepal’s tourism sector and its international reputation.