Publicity sparks calls about missing Tauranga Lotto man John Duff

The disappearance of Tauranga man John Duff has remained a mystery since he was last seen on June 22, 2003. Photo / File

Members of the public have come forward with information about missing Lotto man John Duff but police are still calling on the public for information about his disappearance.

June 22 this year marked 15 years since Duff, co-owner of the Tauranga City Lotto Store on Grey St, went missing. The anniversary was featured in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend on June 23 and, since then, the officer in charge of the case, Sergeant Trevor Brown said they had received "a couple of calls" about it.

He said police had received fresh sightings of Duff but "nothing that turned out to be anything".

Sergeant Brown said after the article came out one person believed they had seen someone who looked familiar to Duff in the South Island and another person reported a sighting up north.

Although the information had failed to turn up anything "concrete", he was happy the publicity had generated some interest in the case and would continue to welcome any further information.

Sergeant Trevor Brown would love to have closure about John Duff's disappearance. Photo / File

Duff, who was 54 when he went missing, was last seen on June 22, 2003.

Friends and family became worried when Duff failed to turn up for work. His home in Matua was unlocked, his bed had not been slept in, and his car was in the carport. His bank account has never been touched.

Anyone with information about Duff's disappearance can contact Tauranga Police on (07) 577 4300 or anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.