Man arrested for 30-year luxury hotel scam across multiple Indian states
Raipur, Chhattisgarh – On June 25, a 69-year-old man walked out of a luxury hotel in Raipur with two duffle bags, appearing to be just another guest checking out. But hotel staff soon realised that he had not paid his bill of Rs 63,755. The man, identified as Vincent John from Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu, was arrested by Raipur Police last week.
According to police records, John has been involved in similar scams for over three decades, targeting luxury hotels across India. His modus operandi involved checking into high-end hotels, enjoying their facilities for a few days, and then leaving without paying. He often stole valuables such as laptops, expensive liquor, and cigarettes during his stays. In the Raipur incident, he allegedly stole a laptop worth Rs 1.48 lakh.
John has cases registered against him in multiple states, including West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh. He has been arrested previously, including by the Delhi Police in 2016 and Navi Mumbai Police in 2020.
Investigators said John told them he started working as a tourist guide in Delhi in the 1980s, which gave him access to free hotel stays. However, after a humiliating incident with a hotel management, he began targeting luxury hotels out of resentment. He would often pose as an English teacher, tour guide, or yoga instructor to gain trust.
To avoid suspicion, John carried two bags: one with his belongings and another stuffed with newspapers or pillows. He would leave the newspaper bag in the hotel to suggest he was staying longer, while sneaking out with the other bag containing stolen items. He initially used his Aadhaar card for check-ins but later switched to photocopies after the Andhra Pradesh Police confiscated his original card.
In the Raipur case, John checked into the hotel on June 25 posing as an event organiser. He sweet-talked a staff member into giving him a laptop, claiming he had connections in the hotel industry. He ordered foreign-made cigarettes and expensive liquor, even though he does not drink or smoke. He left the hotel on June 27, and his phone was switched off after the scam was discovered.
John is currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway.
