Uncanny Ian Beale lookalikey conned love sick grans out of £400,000

A con with more than a passing resemblance for Eastender’s Ian Beale has dodged police for nearly seven years after conning three lovesick grandmothers out of £400,000.

‘Casanova Conman’ John Eric Wells, who is believed to be in his 60s, managed to dupe women across the country in a betrayal plot worthy of one of the UK’s longest-running soaps.

Despite resembling Adam Woodyatt

Wells, who is also believed to go by the names Howard Walmsley and Howard Hemmings, is still wanted in connection with three high-value romance frauds.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police today confirmed Wells was still wanted, saying: ‘Officers are still appealing for information about the whereabouts of wanted man John Eric Wells.’

It is claimed the fantasist from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, fleeced his three elderly victims out of their life savings in total by sweeping them off their feet before going on a spending spree with their money.

The offenses are reported to have taken place from September 2014 onwards – the victims lived in locations across the UK including Doncaster, Sussex and London.

Victim Hazel Wilkins appeared on This Morning in 2019 to tell how she met Wells online.

He starting asking her for money when they entered a relationship in 2014 and later took out loans in her name before fleeing, leaving her in a mountain of debt.

Wells had previously been jailed for three years after faking an £8.9million lottery win, later claiming the scam was an attempt to save his marriage.

He conned banks, a solicitor, an architect, a car firm and two women friends out of £53,000 in total.

The plot was turned into the film Can’t Buy Me Love, penned by EastEnders’ writer Tony Jordan and starring Martin Kemp.

Judge Jane Shipley, who jailed him at Sheffield Crown Court in 2001, told him he lived in a ‘fantasy world’.

She added: ‘You wanted to aspire to the high life and appear successful, but you seem to lack what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.’

In 2024, a spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: ‘Police would like to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to Wells recently, or has information which may help officers with their enquiries.

‘It is possible Wells is currently living outside the UK. If you see him, or you have any information which may help, please call South Yorkshire Police on 101.’