Police ask for help nabbing fraudster

Tony Hartley. Photo / Supplied by NZ Police

Police want help in nabbing a fraudster who has eluded them for nearly 18 months.

Tony Edwin Meihana Hartley failed to appear at two separate court dates and one parole board hearing in late 2007 and a warrant was issued for his immediate recall to prison.

Hartley, who faced 32 charges of fraud, used a number of aliases including Anthony Edward Hartley, Gregory Mulligan and Tony Lorenzo, Detective Felicity Mansell of Feilding police said.

"Information suggests that he continues to use other people's identities to create false documents," she said.

Hartley was known to have contacts in Auckland and information suggested he was recently in the South Island, she said.

"Hartley is also known for altering his appearance, changing his hair style and colour, facial hair, and even using contact lenses to change his eye colour."

Ms Mansell said Hartley was part Maori but could be mistaken for European or Mediterranean.

"He may even use accents to disguise his identity."

Hartley was described as 170cm and of thin to medium build.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact Feilding police immediately, she said.

- NZPA