City hotel network nets fraudster

The fraudster was caught at the Radisson SAS Hotel Edinburgh

A new hotel security network in Edinburgh has had its first success after a man was caught for fraud.

Amit Khullar, 34, from London, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 compensation when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

He admitted to fraudulently booking into the Royal Mile's Radisson SAS hotel after having previously attempted to do so at another city hotel.

The initiative called 'Checkin' lets hoteliers share information.

Pc Bruce Burt, Lothian and Borders Police community officer, said Khullar had sent a fax from his laptop to the Balmoral hotel which claimed to be a booking from a travel agent.

The sharing of information and CCTV is an integral part of how we are protecting our members and this incident shows how well it can work Alex MacLeod Checkin

He said: "Khullar then went to stay at the hotel and at the end of his stay he told the hotel to bill the travel agent.

"When the company said they had not made the booking the hotel immediately alerted all 30 hotels on the new security network system which is now running in Edinburgh's city centre.

"So, when Khullar tried to use the same scam on the Radisson they called us and we told them to let him check in until we had done some checks on him before we then went round and arrested him for fraud.

"This is the first example of the system working, which is very good news."

CCTV images of Khullar were circulated following his unsuccessful attempt to book a number of rooms at the Balmoral Hotel.

Alex MacLeod, chairman of the Checkin group, said that the incident was an example of how the initiative could help prevent criminal activity on hotel premises.

He said: "The sharing of information and CCTV is an integral part of how we are protecting our members and this incident shows how well it can work.

"We look forward to developing our partnership with Lothian and Borders Police and making sure that our members help to make Edinburgh a safer place to stay for their guests."