Two More Arrested in Connection with 'Fake Rescue' Scam in Mountaineering Sector

Kathmandu. Two more individuals involved in the 'fake rescue' operation in the mountaineering sector have been arrested. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested 28-year-old Sandeep Tiwari, a representative of Royal Holidays Adventure and Travel Company in Thamel, and 56-year-old Rajendra Bahadur Singh, former Vice-Chairman of the Airline Operators Association of Nepal.

Singh, a resident of Ward No. 31 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was arrested today, while Tiwari, from Ward No. 2 of Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality, Dhading, was arrested on Tuesday.

So far, nine people, including trekking companies, rescue companies, hospital staff, employees of foreign insurance companies in Nepal, and shareholders/operators of helicopter companies involved in the offense, have been arrested, CIB spokesperson Shiv Kumar Shrestha informed RSS.

The Bureau's investigation revealed that the accused illegally gained financial benefits by claiming insurance money after staging rescues of foreign tourists who allegedly suffered health problems while trekking in high-altitude Himalayan regions.