Mangaluru: The City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested a 64-year-old accused who had allegedly been absconding for around three years after securing bail in a case involving extortion and fraud by impersonating an official of the National Crime Investigation Bureau (NCIB).
The accused has been identified as Sam Peter alias Danny Tharakan alias Antony, a native of Kerala who was reportedly residing in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Accused allegedly ran impersonation gang
According to police, the accused, also known as Shyam Peter, T Sam Peter and Rahul Peter, had formed a gang and allegedly impersonated officials of national investigation agencies.
The gang reportedly targeted individuals involved in financial disputes, bank fraud and tax evasion cases. By claiming to be authorised officials, the accused allegedly threatened or convinced victims and collected money from them, engaging in fraud and extortion.
The Kadri police had earlier taken action against the gang in connection with the case.
Eight gang members arrested in 2019
On August 16, 2019, Kadri police conducted an operation at a lodge in Pumpwell and arrested eight members of the alleged gang, including Shyam Peter.
The accused later secured bail from the court. However, he allegedly failed to appear before the court during the trial and subsequently remained absconding for around three years.
Police launched efforts to trace him after he repeatedly failed to comply with court proceedings.
Allegedly changed names to evade arrest
During the investigation, police reportedly found that the accused had been living at different locations under different identities in an attempt to conceal his real identity.
Police said he had used several names over the years, including Antony, Rahul Peter, Sam Peter, Rajesh Robinson, Rithu Richard, Roy Jacob, Robin Richardson, Robinson, Anthony Francis, Sharoon Francis and, most recently, Danny Tharakan.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly followed a pattern of committing offences in one location, moving to another place and adopting a different name before settling there.
Red Corner Notice reportedly issued
Police described Sam Peter as a notorious fraudster and said an Interpol Red Corner Notice had reportedly been issued against him under the alias Rahul Peter in 2001.
Around 17 cases involving cheating and fraud have reportedly been registered against him at different police stations and locations.
These include cases registered at Mangaluru East, Ullal and Konaje police stations, besides cases in Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru, Udupi City and Kushalnagar.
Cases have also reportedly been registered against him in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
Multiple warrants issued
Police said the accused is currently facing 17 warrants in connection with a case registered at Mangaluru Ullal police station.
In a case registered at the Mangaluru East police station, warrants were reportedly issued against him 14 times. Following his continued absence, a proclamation was also issued.
After tracing and arresting the accused, the CCB personnel handed him over to the Mangaluru East police for further legal action.
CCB team conducts operation
The operation to trace and arrest the long-absconding accused was carried out by officers and personnel of the Mangaluru City CCB unit.
The arrest is expected to assist investigators in pursuing the pending cases registered against him in different parts of the country.
Police are continuing further legal proceedings in connection with the cases and warrants against the accused.