5 hrs ago
Kerala Conman Arrested After Three Decades, Five Identities, 17 Cases
Police in Karnataka arrested a man they say used many different names for almost 30 years.
They say he pretended to be an important government or investigation officer.
He allegedly approached wealthy people who were worried about bank, tax or agency investigations.
He promised to make their problems disappear if they paid him.
Police say he used fake identity cards, letters, videos and other documents to make his stories believable.
In one case, they say he collected Rs 1.13 crore from a businessman.
He had previously been arrested in 2019 but disappeared after receiving bail in 2023.
Police later found him attending a public event in Kerala under another name.
Investigators are now examining 17 cases that may involve him.
Mangaluru City Police arrested 64-year-old Sam Antony in Kannur on September 1 in connection with a 2019 case.
Police say Antony used at least five names, including Sam Peter, Rahul Peter, Danny Tharakkan, Rajesh Robinson and Anthony Francis.
He allegedly posed as officials from agencies including the National Crime Investigation Bureau, NIA and RAW to target people facing financial or legal disputes.
Investigators say he collected Rs 1.13 crore from businessman Abdul Sharif by promising to resolve a relative’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence case.
Police have identified 17 potentially connected cases dating back to 1997 and are investigating whether more remain unreported.
- Who
- Mangaluru City Police arrested Sam Antony, also known by several aliases, after investigating alleged impersonation and cheating cases.
- What
- A suspected conman was arrested in a 2019 case, while police examine 17 potentially connected cases.
- Where
- He was arrested in Kannur, Kerala, in a case registered in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
- When
- He was arrested on September 1; the alleged criminal record examined by police dates back to 1997.
- Why
- Police allege that he impersonated officials and collected money by promising to settle victims’ legal and financial problems.
Investigators' account
Supporters' account
His identity and conduct
Investigators' account
Police describe Antony as a skilled impersonator who used fake documents and posed as senior investigation officials to obtain money.
Supporters' account
A lawyer, a businessman and another influential person reportedly contacted a senior Karnataka police officer to say that Daniel, or Antony, was an honest and upright person who had been wrongly arrested.
Extent of the alleged crimes
Investigators' account
Police have compiled 17 potentially linked cases and say his criminal record may include more incidents that were never reported or recorded.
Supporters' account
The article does not report a detailed public response from Antony disputing the individual allegations or the police case count.
Key facts
- Age
- 64
- Known aliases
- At least five, including Sam Peter and Daniel Tharakan
- Arrest location
- Kannur, Kerala
- Cases under examination
- 17 potentially connected cases
- Earliest case cited
- A 1997 cheating case registered in Chhattisgarh
- Amount allegedly collected
- Rs 1.13 crore from businessman Abdul Sharif over 10 months
- Previous arrest
- Arrested in Mangaluru in 2019 and reportedly secured bail in 2023
Quotes
A Mangaluru police officer
Police officer involved in tracing Antony
“He is fluent in English and his authority over the law is remarkable. If someone is unaware of his history and speaks to him for 10 minutes, he can convince them that he is some elite businessman or an officer of a central agency”
indianexpress.com
“He recently attended a media event as a chief guest in Kerala. We got photos of this event. That’s how we finally nabbed him”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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