Conman makes off with Audi

A serial conman has struck again, this time making off with a new $90,000 Audi.

David Nepia Carroll has left a trail of victims up and down the North Island and police are warning anybody who sees him to phone 111.

Ruakaka constable Mark Stuart said Carroll was not thought to be dangerous - if he knew somebody was on to him, he would "run and run and run".

Carroll has also used the names Sam Carroll, Sam Palmer and most recently Samuel Maniapoto.

Described as having a camp or feminine demeanour, Carroll was an expert at charming victims into liking and trusting him before helping himself to what he could. He has taken cash and cars and left several motels without paying.

"He's a class act really, you've got to give it to him," said Stuart who has been tracking Carroll ever since he left Ruakaka men's homestay La Belle Maison about $2000 out of pocket.

Stuart alleged Carroll's latest victims, a gay couple, had met him in February then again last Sunday. They'd all had breakfast together in Ponsonby then gone to lunch at restaurant SPQR where Carroll had paid for the meal.

They'd returned to the couple's inner city home.

The couple had gone to bed leaving Carroll alone in the lounge. They'd woken up about 3am to find their Audi A5 gone. Carroll was nowhere to be seen.

They later realised money was missing from their bank account and believe he'd taken their card earlier in the day then withdrawn money to pay for lunch.

Stuart was determined to catch Carroll.

"If you see him, just discreetly call 111 and advise police," he said.