Cops hunting ‘fugitive fraudster’ who looks just like iconic TV character – can you guess who?

COPS are hunting a fugitive fraudster who conned lonely hearts out of £400,000 in life savings.

The unusual crook is the spitting image of an iconic TV character but has managed to evade arrest for three years.

John Eric Wells, who is in his 60s, has been on the run since 2019, despite his uncanny resemblance to EastEnders' longest-serving character Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt.

Wells, dubbed the Casanova Conman, also uses the alias Howard Hemmings and has been added to South Police's most wanted list in a bid to bring him to justice.

He is linked to three romance scams involving three separate grans in Doncaster, Sussex and .

They were allegedly persuaded to hand over their life savings to Wells who then scarpered with the cash in a plotline that would not look out of place on Albert Square.

Victim Hazel Wilkins, of , told how she fell for Wells after meeting him online in June 2014.

He swept her off her feet and proposed in front of her family and friends in December 2015. 

They set the date four times but on each occasion he had a reason to cancel.

Hazel said: "Before I met him I had a good job, lots of money in the bank and I'd never been in .

"I had a nice life and a beautiful home. But he left me with so much debt. I don't want to fall in love again. 

"I won't trust anybody. I have got to the point of hiding my purse. I just want him found and put where he is supposed to be - behind bars."

The offences are alleged to have taken place from September 2014 onwards but repeated appeals for information have so far drawn a blank. 

Officers believe Wells may now be abroad.