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Nepal arrests six in tourist rescue fraud / Photo: PRAKASH MATHEMA - AFP/File
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Nepal arrests six in tourist rescue fraud
Nepal has arrested six people after an investigation into fraudulent helicopter rescues of travellers in the Himalayan nation in a $1.69 million insurance scam, police said Monday.
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 $1.69 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.
C.Valero--HdM
