As the spring trekking and expedition season begins, industry officials warn that fake rescue scams are threatening Nepal’s mountaineering reputation, urging the government to act swiftly — particularly on widely circulated “poisoning” claims they say have been blown out of proportion by national and international media.

The first agency to respond was the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), a specialised unit of Nepal Police.

The CIB has dismissed reports alleging that guides in the Everest region were “poisoning” tourists to trigger fraudulent rescue operations, saying investigations so far have found no evidence to support such claims.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the bureau said its attention had been drawn to recent reports suggesting trekking guides were deliberately making tourists ill by mixing harmful substances in food to facilitate fake helicopter rescues and insurance fraud.

“During the course of investigations till date, no evidence has been found to substantiate these claims,” the bureau said, urging media outlets and the public to refrain from disseminating “unverified, misleading and baseless” information. It warned that spreading such misinformation could constitute a punishable offence.

The clarification comes amid growing scrutiny of alleged irregularities in Nepal’s lucrative mountain rescue sector, particularly in the Everest region — a key hub for high-value trekking and climbing expeditions.

Industry groups, including the Nepal Mountaineering Association, have issued separate statements calling for credible reporting and stronger government action. The association warned that unverified reports risk damaging Nepal’s global reputation as a premier mountaineering destination.

“Such actions are unimaginable to all expedition operators,” the association said, stressing that Nepal has long maintained a reputation for professional and safe services for climbers worldwide.

It also called on the government to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and take action against any parties found responsible for wrongdoing, while urging climbers to report suspected malpractice.

Travel experts warn that shaken trust could deter climbers and hurt the economy, especially if insurers or clients lose confidence in the integrity of Nepal’s trekking services.

On Monday, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation held a meeting with stakeholders to gather suggestions on curbing fake rescue activities that have tarnished Nepal’s image.

The ministry acknowledged concerns over malpractice in helicopter rescue operations, including exaggerated altitude sickness symptoms, unnecessary evacuations and inflated insurance claims.

In its own statement, the ministry said that while such irregularities have been reported, claims of deliberate harm to trekkers—such as food contamination—have not been substantiated by CIB investigations.

“The government recognises the urgency and sensitivity of these concerns and is undertaking immediate and decisive measures to address them,” the ministry said.

Authorities said a zero-tolerance policy would be enforced against fraudulent practices, including strict investigations, blacklisting of individuals and companies, and public disclosure of those found guilty. The government also plans to coordinate with international insurance providers to strengthen verification systems.

A joint monitoring task force involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Department of Tourism and Nepal Police has been mobilised to enhance oversight, conduct regular audits and improve transparency.

The ministry also announced plans for longer-term reforms, including a technology-based rescue management system integrating trekker registration, rescue requests and insurance validation, as well as stricter licensing requirements for guides and agencies.

A ministry official said there are complaints that some Nepali agencies invite trekkers free of cost or at nominal rates, cover their expenses and later claim hefty insurance payouts.

A case has been filed against 32 individuals in connection with a fake rescue scheme at the District Court, Kathmandu.

Mountain tourism remains a key pillar of Nepal’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the Himalayan region. From airlines and hotels to helicopter operators, guides, restaurants and grocery suppliers, many depend on tourism income.

Industry stakeholders say that while isolated cases of fraud may exist, sweeping and unverified allegations could undermine confidence in the sector at the peak of the climbing season.

According to the CIB chargesheet, some allegations include guides mixing baking soda into tourists’ food to make them ill and serving adulterated or unsanitary meals. Other claims suggest tourists are pushed to consume unnecessary medicines to create symptoms such as dehydration and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Even minor symptoms like mild headaches or slight altitude discomfort are sometimes exaggerated, with tourists allegedly warned of fatal risks and pressured into helicopter evacuation.

In cases where rest or simple medication such as aspirin would suffice, authorities say a nexus of guides, evacuation companies, trekking agencies and hospitals may stage unnecessary “medical evacuation” scenarios.

In a recorded statement, a trekking guide with nearly two decades of experience described standard procedures, including advising tourists to stay hydrated, walk slowly and descend if symptoms worsen before considering evacuation.

The guide said he recognised some of the accused, including Mukti Pandey of Manang Air, Subash KC, formerly of Himalayan Scenery Trek, and helicopter operator Shyam Sundar Kadel, but denied involvement in any fraudulent activity.

He also claimed that his company manager had requested his identification card and later used it without his knowledge in insurance-related processes.

The chargesheet further notes that medicines such as acetazolamide, used to prevent altitude sickness, can cause side effects like tingling and increased urination—symptoms that may alarm tourists and contribute to unnecessary rescue decisions.

It adds that if oxygen saturation falls below critical levels, immediate descent and oxygen support are recommended, but in some cases, tourists may instead be pushed toward helicopter evacuation.

Authorities say such rescue cases have risen significantly since 2015.

Previously, helicopter services were typically used only in emergencies, but concerns have grown over misuse, including discrepancies in passenger manifests and inflated medical claims.

Rescue flights are officially meant to carry only sick passengers, but investigators say operators sometimes transport multiple passengers while reporting only one, followed by hospital documentation to justify insurance claims.