Summits of scams

Fake rescue rackets thrive as the state lacks the political will to follow through on its own findings.

Nepal’s Himalayas have long been an attraction for adventure-seekers, serving as a cornerstone of the national economy. But a persistent rot has been eating away at our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism. For years, a nexus of unscrupulous trekking guides, agencies, helicopter operators and hospitals has been orchestrating a multimillion-dollar insurance fraud by staging fake rescues in the mountains. The predatory practices have tarnished Nepal’s image as a tourist destination.