Police are hunting a fraudster who failed to turn up in court after admitting conning MacBook owners trying to sell their laptops.

John Anthony Corrado, of no fixed address, targeted sellers online, arranging to meet them and making fake bank transfers on his smartphone.

The 28 year old would then leave with the laptop without having paid.

Corrado was arrested on August 31 after handing himself to Wandsworth police station.

Earlier this month he pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by false representation, all of which took place in July and August this year.

But he failed to appear at West London Magistrates' Court Tuesday September 13, where he was due to be sentenced.

Police are appealing for help to find Corrado and want to trace more people who have been duped by him.

PC Michael Proffitt of Hammersmith and Fulham said: "Corrado fooled his victims into believing his actions were legitimate. He created his own receipts and even made fake calls to banks whilst pretending to make transactions.

"Please remember to always check the legitimacy of any transactions and if in doubt speak to your bank directly.

"Always make online transactions via secure websites and report suspicious activity to the police or to Action Fraud."

Anyone with information should contact police by calling 101.