FILE PHOTO: In 2019k The Helicopter Society of Nepal, which has 10 helicopter companies as its members, said that an allegation that they were pushing agencies for emergency evacuations of foreign trekkers and mountaineers for minor illnesses was ‘baseless’ and ‘far from the truth’. - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
KATHMANDU: Nepal has arrested six people after an investigation into fraudulent helicopter rescues of travellers in the Himalayan nation in a US$19.69 million insurance scam, police said Monday (Jan 26).
Thousands of trekkers visit Nepal every year for its stunning views of the Himalayas and routes lined with picturesque villages -- and emergency helicopter rescues are a critical part of the tourism industry.
Police said they uncovered evidence of multiple insurance claims filed for a single rescue operation, or chartered flights falsely presented as emergency evacuations, and fabricated medical bills issued with the involvement of private hospitals.
The arrests follow a two and a half month investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau that revealed a trail of forged and manipulated documents.
Three companies had claimed insurance payouts of approximately US$19.69 million, according to a police statement.
"This has been a long-standing issue and we have been investigating. Six have been arrested and our investigations will continue," Shiva Kumar Shrestha, the bureau's spokesman, told AFP.
A 2018 government probe identified 15 companies -- including helicopter firms, trekking agencies and hospitals -- linked to the lucrative racket. But no action was taken against any of the alleged perpetrators.
Scams continued -- despite Nepal introducing guidelines to control fake rescues following a warning from insurers. - AFP
