A 67-year-old fraudster from Tamil Nadu, identified as Bimsent John of Thoothukudi, has been arrested for defrauding a private five-star hotel in Manipal by booking a fake conference meeting. The arrest came after the accused dined at the hotel and fled without settling a bill of Rs39,298.
The incident occurred on December 7, when Bimsent John booked a room in the hotel, claiming he was attending a conference. He promised to pay an advance on December 9 and check out on December 12, but after enjoying meals and accruing the large bill, he vanished without making any payment.
The hotel management reported the case to the Manipal Police, and a team led by Inspector Devaraj quickly apprehended the accused on December 9. During the investigation, it was revealed that Bimsent John had targeted multiple prestigious five-star hotels across India, including those in Delhi, Thane, and Kollam, where he had racked up unpaid bills in similar fashion.
Bimsent John, a graduate, has a criminal history spanning 49 cases across various police stations in India. His first arrest dates back to 1996, when he was sentenced to five years in prison for a similar hotel fraud case in Delhi. Since then, he has continued his fraudulent activities, often using fake conference bookings and promises of advance payments to deceive hotel managements.
The accused is unmarried and has developed a reputation as a serial fraudster targeting high-end hotels. He has managed to escape without paying for large sums of food, room service, and other services, leaving hotel owners and managers to bear the losses.
The Manipal Police produced Bimsent John before the Udupi court, which has ordered his 14 days of judicial custody. Investigators are continuing to gather information about his other fraudulent activities across the country.
Hotel authorities are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to prevent further scams of this nature. This case highlights the importance of proper verification and caution when dealing with large bookings or clients making claims about attending conferences without any formal arrangements.
