Hyderabad-based gem merchant held for stealing from foreigners in Bengaluru star hotels

The High Grounds police on Wednesday arrested a 57-year-old gem merchant from Hyderabad for stealing valuables from foreign delegates in star hotels in the city.

The accused, Chintakindi Srinivasulu, was a gemstone trader who resided in an apartment in Hyderabad. Srinivasulu would gather details about conferences held in star hotels from the media and attend them, posing as a delegate.

The accused would target foreign delegates and steal their valuables, especially foreign currency, Hakay Akshay Machindra, DCP (Central Division), said. With his arrest, the police have recovered $270 USD, $2,900 TWD (Taiwanese currency), $2,000 AUD (Australian currency), and 10,000 LAK (Lao currency) from him.

The accused had attended a conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in June this year and stole $300 USD and $ 3,000 TWD from a delegate identified as Roger Ninepo Sheng. Based on a complaint, the police tracked down the accused through technical evidence found at the scene of the crime. The accused is involved in two such cases, including one within the Sadashiva Nagar police station limits this year. The police are further investigating to ascertain his criminal background.