Missing woman's 'so-called friend' sells car

File photo / NZ Herald

Police have hit out at a "so-called friend" who used deception to take the car of a missing woman and on-sell it without permission.

Rae Portman has not contacted family or accessed her bank accounts since June 20, when she drove her silver Volkswagon Passat to Auckland and checked in to a motel.

The car had failed a warrant, despite her purchasing it for $2000 about a week earlier, and she was taking it to a friend to repair.

After Ms Portman was reported missing on July 2, the friend who was meant to repair the vehicle told her family it was available for them to pick up, police said.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said the man was soon contacted by a woman who claimed she was picking it up on behalf of the Portman family.

The woman picked the car up and drove it back to her Auckland home before changing its ownership to her own name and selling it on for $1000 at a dealership in Western Springs, he said.

Police said the woman admitted she didn't have permission from Rae Portman or her family to collect the vehicle in an interview on September 5.

She appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning and has been remanded until November 20.

Prosecutors are seeking $2000 reparation to be paid to Ms Portman's mother Rebecca Norton.

Ms Norton has revealed her daughter was four months pregnant when she disappeared.

She has issued a public plea for anyone who has information about the whereabouts of her child and unborn grandchild to come forward to police.

CAN YOU HELP?

Contact police on 0800 723 767, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the Where is Rae (Bok) Portman Facebook page.