New Delhi/IBNS: A man, who impersonated an official of the government of the United Arab Emirates, was arrested for allegedly fleeing without paying his outstanding hotel in the national capital worth over Rs. 23 lakhs, Delhi Police said.

The man identified as Mahamed Sharif (41), hailing from Karnataka's Dakshin Kannada, presented a fake business card and stayed at the Leela Palace Hotel for nearly three months last year, according to the police.

He fled with hotel valuables and without settling his outstanding bills causing a huge loss to the hotel worth Rs. 23,46,413.

The Delhi Police has charged him with fraud and theft on a complaint by the Leela Palace Hotel management.

Sharif checked into Room 427 of the Leela Palace on Aug 1 and left quietly on Nov 20.

The hotel staff claimed he stole several items from the room, including silver utensils and a pearl tray.

On arriving at the hotel in August, Sharif told the staff that he was a resident of the UAE and worked closely with Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the Abu Dhabi royal family, reports said.

He claimed to work with the Sheikh personally and was in India on official business.

He even produced a business card, a UAE resident card and other documents to support his story. To sell his story, he routinely chatted with the hotel staff about his life in the UAE.