Nepal Police’s Central Investigation Bureau reportedly found that some Mount Everest guides have been “poisoning” climbers as part of a $20 million insurance fraud scam.

Thirty-two guides were charged in connection with the scheme, which impacted 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025, on March 12, The Kathmandu Post reports.

The scam was initially uncovered in 2018, but Nepalese police recently re-opened their investigation, according to the Kathmandu Post. As part of the scheme, the guides would “manufacture” an emergency for tourists from foreign countries such as the U.K. or Australia, making it more difficult for insurance companies to verify the incidents in the Kathmandu area of Nepal.

Reaching great heights of 10,000 feet, those who climb Mount Everest are often susceptible to altitude sickness—but Nepalese authorities found that the guides would purposefully put baking powder into climbers’ food to mimic the common symptoms of altitude sickness, then feign the need for emergency services, the outlet reported, citing police.

Climbers were allegedly given diamox (Acetazolamide) tablets, which are used to treat and prevent altitude sickness, with “excessive” amounts of water, per the outlet.

“Altitude sickness is when your body doesn’t have time to adjust to lower oxygen availability higher up in the atmosphere,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Helicopter companies, local hospitals and other organizations were also allegedly in on the scam, as the guides would falsify the need for emergency helicopter evacuations and further treatment, the Post reports. Era International Hospital allegedly took over $15.87 million, and Shreedhi International Hospital is alleged to have received over $1.22 million in connection with the falsified rescue operations, according to the outlet, citing the police investigation.

Mountain Rescue Service allegedly carried out 171 fraudulent rescues, which allowed it to collect $10.31 million from international insurance companies, according to the Post. Nepal Charter Service allegedly raked in $8.2 million for its part in the scheme, with Everest Experience and Assistance linked to $11.04 million in insurance claims, the outlet reports, citing police.

Everest Insurance Scam: $20 Million Fraud Where Trekkers Were Allegedly Poisoned For Fake Rescues