Hotel conman: The Chhattisgarh police have arrested a 69-year-old man named Bingson John from Tamil Nadu, who allegedly cheated over 300 luxury hotels across India for 36 years by checking in and fleeing without paying bills. This hotel conman posed as a yoga instructor, English teacher, or foreign tour guide to gain access to high-end establishments without raising suspicion.
The arrest followed a complaint from a Hyatt Five Star Hotel in Raipur, where John stayed for two days starting June 25 and vanished on June 27, evading a bill of Rs. 63,755. He also stole a laptop worth Rs. 1.48 lakh from the hotel. The Raipur police traced his mobile number and documents, finding him in Bhubaneswar, and arrested him there.
During the investigation, police discovered that this hotel conman had an extensive criminal background. Over ten cases were registered against him in different states, and he spent more than 15 years in various jails, including Tihar Jail. John admitted to being inspired by famous serial killer Charles Sobhraj and committing these frauds based on his training. He also has a habit of stealing valuables and typically moves to another state after committing a crime.
The police have sent the accused behind bars and launched a full-scale investigation into his past criminal history. They are now trying to uncover details of similar crimes he may have committed across the country. This case highlights how a hotel conman operated for decades, exploiting the trust of luxury hotels nationwide.
