A 57-year-old gemstone trader from Hyderabad, Chintakindi Srinivasulu, has been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly stealing foreign currency from international delegates attending high-profile conferences.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Hakay Akshay Machhindra, Srinivasulu tracked global events and business summits using news outlets, social media, and public portals. Dressed in formal attire to blend in with the attendees, he would infiltrate such gatherings, targeting bags left unattended by foreign participants.
“He preferred foreign currency due to its higher value and would later convert it into Indian rupees locally,” the DCP said.
The case came to light after Roger Neino Sheng, a foreign delegate, filed a police complaint on June 23 at High Grounds police station. Sheng reported the theft of US $300 and 3,000 Taiwanese dollars during the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) annual meeting held in June at Hotel Shangri-La.
Acting on the complaint, police traced and apprehended Srinivasulu, recovering US $270 and 2,900 Taiwanese dollars. Additional seizures included 200 Australian dollars and 10,000 Laotian Kip allegedly stolen during a separate event within the Sadashiva Nagar police limits. In total, the stolen currency was valued at approximately ₹41,079.
Investigations revealed that Srinivasulu considered targeting international delegates a “simple opportunity” due to the low risk and high returns.