Raipur: A 69-year-old man from Tamil Nadu has been arrested for allegedly defrauding more than 300 luxury hotels across India over the past three decades by assuming multiple identities.

Police claim the accused admitted during questioning that he was inspired by notorious serial killer and conman Charles Sobhraj, who was known for manipulating luxury hotels by adopting false identities, using fake documents and posing as affluent travellers or professionals to gain the trust of hotel staff.

The accused, Bingson John, was arrested in Bhubaneswar following an investigation launched on the basis of a complaint filed by a five-star hotel in Raipur.

Police trace accused after Raipur hotel complaint

The investigation began after the Hyatt Hotel in Raipur reported that John had checked into the property on June 25 and left on the morning of June 27 without completing the checkout process.

According to police, he allegedly failed to clear a hotel bill of ₹63,755. He is also accused of taking away a laptop worth around ₹1.48 lakh that had been provided to him by the hotel during his stay.

After the hotel failed to contact him despite repeated attempts, its management approached Telibandha Police Station. Under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a case has been registered.

The probe was jointly conducted by the Cyber and Anti-Crime Unit and the Telibandha Police. Investigators said technical analysis of the documents and mobile numbers allegedly provided by the accused eventually led them to Bhubaneswar, where he was arrested.

Multiple identities used to target luxury hotels

Police alleged that John systematically targeted premium hotels by posing as a foreign tour guide, an English teacher or a yoga instructor.

By presenting himself as a respectable professional, he allegedly gained the confidence of hotel staff, stayed in luxury accommodation and used hotel facilities before disappearing without paying the bills. Investigators also claim he occasionally stole hotel property before leaving.

Police said the alleged modus operandi resembled tactics associated with Charles Sobhraj, who was known for charming hotel staff, securing luxury accommodation under assumed identities and evading payment before leaving. Sobhraj also routinely used forged or stolen identities while travelling.

'Inspired by Charles Sobhraj,' police claim

During interrogation, police said John revealed that he had been influenced by Charles Sobhraj and adopted similar methods of deception by frequently changing identities and professions. The accused confessed to cheating more than 300 luxury hotels across the country since 1990, police claimed.

Police further claimed that criminal cases have been registered against him in more than 10 states, including several metropolitan cities.

Long criminal history under investigation

According to investigators, John has spent more than 15 years in different prisons, including Tihar Jail, where he reportedly came into contact with several notorious criminals.

The laptop allegedly stolen from the Raipur hotel has been recovered from his possession.

Further investigation is under way to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify other cases linked to the accused.