Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested a 64-year-old man who had allegedly been absconding for around three years after securing bail in a case involving fraud and extortion. Police said the accused had allegedly impersonated officials of national investigation agencies to target people involved in financial disputes, bank fraud and tax-related cases.
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. According to police, he had been using multiple identities while moving between different parts of the country to conceal his whereabouts.
The arrest was made by the Mangaluru City CCB, following efforts to trace him after he failed to appear before the court during the trial of an earlier case.
Accused allegedly posed as investigation agency official
According to the police, the accused had formed a gang and allegedly impersonated officials of national investigation agencies.
Police said the gang targeted individuals facing financial disputes, bank fraud allegations and tax evasion cases. By allegedly convincing the victims that he was an authorised government or investigation agency official, the accused and his associates reportedly collected money from them and indulged in fraud and extortion.
The allegations relate to cases registered in several parts of the country.
The police action follows an earlier case in Mangaluru in which Kadri police reportedly arrested eight members of the alleged gang, including the accused.
Eight gang members arrested in 2019
The earlier operation took place on August 16, 2019, when Kadri police conducted a raid at a lodge in Pumpwell, Mangaluru.
Eight members of the alleged gang were arrested during the operation, including Shyam Peter, according to the report. The accused subsequently obtained bail but allegedly failed to appear before the court during the trial.
He had remained absconding for around three years before being traced by the CCB.
The latest arrest brings the accused back into the legal process in connection with the pending cases and warrants against him.
Police say accused used several identities
One of the notable aspects of the investigation is the number of names the accused allegedly used over the years.
According to police, he was known by several identities, including Antony, Rahul Peter, Sam Peter, Rajesh Robinson, Rithu Richard, Roy Jacob, Robin Richardson, Robinson, Anthony Francis, Sharoon Francis and Danny Tharakan.
Police said the use of different names was part of an alleged pattern aimed at concealing his identity and avoiding detection.
Investigators reportedly found that the accused would commit a crime in one location, move to another place and adopt another name before establishing himself there.
Such movements made tracing him more difficult and allowed him to remain away from the authorities for an extended period, according to the police.
Red Corner Notice reportedly issued in 2001
The police also stated that Sam Peter was the subject of an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued under the alias Rahul Peter in 2001.
A Red Corner Notice is used by Interpol to seek the location and provisional arrest of a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence, subject to the laws of the country where the person is located.
The reported notice adds an international dimension to the long-running efforts to trace the accused.
However, an Interpol Red Corner Notice is not itself an international arrest warrant. Any arrest and subsequent legal action are governed by the laws and procedures of the country concerned.
Cases registered across several States
According to the police, around 17 cases involving cheating and fraud have been registered against the accused in different parts of India.
The cases are reportedly registered at police stations and locations including Mangaluru East, Ullal and Konaje in Karnataka, along with Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru, Udupi City and Kushalnagar.
Cases have also reportedly been registered in several other States, including Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
The wide geographical spread of the cases has made the accused a significant target for law enforcement agencies.
The cases are at different stages of investigation and legal proceedings, and the allegations will have to be established through the respective judicial processes.
Multiple warrants issued against accused
Police said 17 warrants had been issued against the accused in connection with a case registered at the Mangaluru Ullal police station.
In another case registered at Mangaluru East police station, warrants were reportedly issued 14 times. Following his continued non-appearance, a proclamation was issued against him.
The repeated warrants indicate that authorities had been attempting to secure his presence before the court for an extended period.
His arrest by the CCB is expected to allow the pending legal proceedings to move forward.
Accused allegedly moved between locations
The investigation reportedly revealed that the accused had been living in different places under different names.
Police said this movement was intended to conceal his real identity and avoid being traced by law enforcement agencies.
He was reportedly residing in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, at the time he was traced.
The alleged use of multiple identities and movement between States illustrates the challenges faced by investigators in tracking suspects involved in cases spread across different jurisdictions.
Handed over to Mangaluru East police
After his arrest by the Mangaluru City CCB, the accused was handed over to Mangaluru East police station for further legal action.
The next stages will involve the relevant legal procedures in connection with the cases and warrants against him.
The CCB team that worked on the operation included officers and personnel involved in tracing and apprehending the accused.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained pending since the accused allegedly failed to appear before the court after securing bail.
CCB operation brings long-absconding accused back into custody
The arrest is notable because the accused had allegedly remained out of the reach of authorities for around three years.
His reported history of using multiple names and living in different locations made the task of tracing him more challenging. The CCB eventually succeeded in locating and arresting him, according to the police.
The case also highlights the difficulties law enforcement agencies can face when investigating alleged fraud networks that operate across State borders.
When suspects use false identities and move frequently between jurisdictions, coordination between police units becomes particularly important.
Investigation and legal proceedings to continue
The arrest does not by itself establish the allegations against the accused. The cases registered against him will continue through the appropriate investigation and judicial processes.
Authorities will determine the evidence available in each case and the accused will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the legal system.
The police are expected to continue coordinating with the concerned police stations and authorities in connection with the various cases reportedly pending against him.
Conclusion:
Mangaluru City CCB has arrested 64-year-old Sam Peter, also known by several aliases, after he allegedly remained absconding for around three years. Police said he was wanted in around 17 fraud and cheating cases across several States and had allegedly impersonated national investigation agency officials to extort money. He has been handed over to Mangaluru East police for further legal action.