POLICE hunting a North-East businessman who went missing four months into a multi-million pound fraud trial believe he may have left the country.

George Steen has not been seen since giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, in London, almost three weeks ago.

The Northern Echo understands that the search for Mr Steen may have switched to the Philippines.

The flamboyant businessman, who once had a career as a glamour photographer, met his wife Emma in the Philippines and married her there in 1989.

The 54-year-old from Darlington is charged with conspiring to defraud between January 1, 1996, and June 6, 1999.

He had appeared in court alongside 47-year-old Dennis Alexander and 38-year-old David Andrews, both from East Sussex.

All three deny the allegations that they encouraged more than 100 people from around the world to invest in multi-million pound loans.

It is alleged that clients paid advance fees totalling several million dollars, expecting to receive substantial commercial loans.

Mr Steen's non-appearance at court is understood to be in breach of strict bail conditions imposed by the trial judge.

Police in Darlington have been asked to look for Mr Steen and have made frequent checks at his home in Geneva Road, but the property has remained empty. Investigators now believe the businessman is overseas.

A spokeswoman for the Serious Fraud Office in London said: "George Steen absented himself mid-trial and is believed to be outside the jurisdiction of the UK."

The investigation into Mr Steen is the biggest case of alleged fraud ever undertaken by Durham Constabulary.

Officers from the Durham Fraud Squad spent five weeks in North America, working with the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to gather evidence.

Their counterparts from the Sussex force carried out a similar operation in Australia and New Zealand.

The Northern Echo has learned that an American businessman has joined the police in the hunt for Mr Steen.

The man, who does not want to be named, flew from his home in California to Darlington this week and visited Mr Steen's office and home to look for him.

The trial in London is continuing in Mr Steen's absence.