Kathmandu, Jan 24 — Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested several travel company operators for their alleged involvement in a large-scale fake rescue scam targeting foreign tourists and insurance companies.

 

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According to CIB Chief and Additional Inspector General Manoj KC, the suspects were engaged in fraudulent rescue operations and tourist scams, primarily to claim insurance money. The arrests were made after obtaining court approval.

 

Those arrested include Jairam Rimal, Bibek Pandey, Rabindra Adhikari, Bibekraj Thapaliya, Mukti Pandey, and Subash KC. Police are investigating them on charges related to offenses against national interest, criminal profiteering, organized crime, and money laundering.

 

Investigations revealed that Mountain Rescue Service Pvt Ltd, operated by Jairam Rimal and Bibek Pandey, conducted 171 fake rescues out of 1,248 cases, fraudulently claiming more than USD 10 million in insurance payouts.

 

Similarly, Nepal Charter Service Pvt Ltd, run by Rabindra Adhikari and Bibekraj Thapaliya, was found to have carried out 75 fake rescues out of 471, with insurance claims amounting to USD 8.2 million.

 

Another company, Everest Experience and Assistance Pvt Ltd, operated by Mukti Pandey and Subash KC, reportedly conducted 71 suspicious rescues out of 601 cases, claiming USD 1.153 million from insurance providers.

 

The CIB stated that further investigations are ongoing and additional arrests may follow as authorities continue to probe what is considered one of the largest rescue-related insurance fraud cases in Nepal’s tourism sector.