| SCS | 0.12% | 16.14 | $ | |
| GSK | 1.52% | 51.435 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -2.69% | 16 | $ | |
| RBGPF | 1.65% | 83.78 | $ | |
| NGG | -0.43% | 84.69 | $ | |
| AZN | 0.72% | 93.26 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.26% | 23.634 | $ | |
| CMSD | -0.17% | 24.02 | $ | |
| VOD | -0.27% | 14.67 | $ | |
| BCE | 0.08% | 25.505 | $ | |
| JRI | 0.42% | 13.01 | $ | |
| BTI | 0.05% | 60.24 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.35% | 79.105 | $ | |
| RELX | -1.42% | 35.66 | $ | |
| BP | -0.09% | 38.005 | $ | |
| RIO | -3.58% | 91.84 | $ |
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