Thursday, 9 July 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

69-Year-Old Conman Caught After 36 Years

A 69-year-old man was arrested for defrauding hotels. He admitted to following Charles Sobhraj's lifestyle.

Mumbai Alert · City Desk
Mumbai Alert · City Desk
City Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Thu, 09 July 2026 at 03:23 pm
69-Year-Old Conman Caught After 36 Years

A 69-year-old man has been arrested in Bhubaneswar for allegedly defrauding luxury hotels across India for nearly three decades. The man, who has spent 15 years in various Indian prisons for similar offenses, was caught after fleeing a Raipur hotel without paying a large bill.

According to police, the man had been using his charm and wit to cheat hotels out of money for 36 years, targeting over 300 luxury hotels across the country. He would often stay in these hotels, run up large bills, and then flee without paying.

The man has admitted to modelling his criminal lifestyle on notorious conman Charles Sobhraj, who was known for his charm and ability to deceive people. Police stated that the man viewed hotels as tourist destinations and prisons as his home stay, indicating a brazen and casual attitude towards his crimes.

The man's arrest came after he fled a hotel in Raipur without paying a large bill. Police were able to track him down and arrest him in Bhubaneswar. During his arrest, a stolen laptop was recovered from his possession.

The man's criminal history dates back several decades, with him spending 15 years in various Indian prisons for similar offenses. Despite his age, the man showed no signs of slowing down, continuing to target hotels and cheat them out of money.

The arrest of the 69-year-old man has brought an end to his decades-long spree of cheating hotels. Police are now investigating the full extent of his crimes and are working to recover the money he stole from the hotels.

The case has also raised questions about the security measures in place at luxury hotels and how they can prevent such incidents in the future. The man's ability to cheat so many hotels for so long has highlighted the need for greater vigilance and cooperation between hotels and law enforcement agencies.

In the end, the man's admiration for Charles Sobhraj and his desire to emulate his lifestyle led to his downfall. His arrest serves as a reminder that crime does not pay and that those who engage in such activities will eventually be caught and brought to justice.

The significance of this case lies in the fact that it highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the hospitality industry in preventing and detecting crime. It also serves as a warning to those who would seek to engage in similar activities, that they will be caught and punished.

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