PEOPLE are being warned about a conman motorist who may have duped countless passers-by into giving him money.

The man has approached people in Darlington town centre and surrounding villages claiming to have run out of petrol.

He asks for money to buy fuel and offers to leave his details so the cash can be reclaimed.

But when he is given cash, he disappears and the good Samaritans never get their money back.

It is thought the trick may have been used in Darlington for a number of years.

Darlington police are aware of the trick but have only had one official complaint in recent weeks. A police spok-esman said: "We are aware that there have been other incidents and we are investigating,

"We believe someone has approached various people in Darlington and the other villages and the cases could be connected. We believe people have not told us because they have refused to hand over money and so don't think it is a police matter."

One of the fraudster's latest tricks is to park his car with the hazard lights on and wave down passing motorists asking for money.

He managed to get money out of passers-by using this trick near Dinsdale Golf Club, in Middleton St George last month.

The police would like anyone who has been approached in this way to contact them, whether they have handed over any money or not.

The police spokesman said: "We do not want to put people off being good Samaritans, but in this day and age of credit cards and mobile phones, it seems unlikely that someone would get themselves into the situation of being stranded in a car with no money

"If someone is asked for money, I would suggest they are very cautious and question whether the person is genuine, maybe directing them to the nearest police station for help.

"Handing money over to complete strangers is rarely a good idea and people are unlikely to see their cash again."

Anyone with information is asked to call Darlington police on (01325) 467681.