World's top conman walks out of prison

The world's top conman, who was jailed less than three months ago, is on the run again after being allowed out of prison for a dental appointment.

Juan Carlos Guzman-Betancourt, who modelled himself partly on Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the film Catch Me If You Can, was let out to attend the appointment but failed to return.

The Home Office today confirmed that Guzman-Betancourt, 29, was "at large" after walking out of Standford Hill jail on the Isle of Sheppey on 6 June. A spokeswoman said police were hunting for him.

The jetset conman and son of an aristocrat, who also modelled himself on the fictional gentleman jewel thief Raffles, was wanted by police in countries across the world - including the FBI - when he was seized by Scotland Yard last year.

He had been arrested a number of times since 1998, but always managed to escape. Guzman-Betancourt was jailed for three and a half years in April for burglary, six deceptions and possessing two forged passports.

Today, police were stunned by the ease with which he walked out of jail. One source said: "This man is wanted by the FBI and has been finally put behind bars. What do we do? At the first opportunity we let him out on trust. It's unbelievable."

Guzman-Betancourt used at least 10 aliases to fly between continents carrying out raids on some of the world's most prestigious hotels. He was convicted after a string of heists on top London hotels including the Mandarin Oriental, the Dorchester, and the Lanesborough.

Guzman- Betancourt was thought to have netted millions through raids in at least seven countries.

An all-ports and airports alert has been put out for him. A Home Office source said he had been assessed as a low risk. Guzman-Betancourt used his charm and good looks to repeatedly hijack the identities of wealthy guests.

He would pretend to have lost his room key and get staff to let him in. The conman would then plunder their valuables. He was finally arrested after he was recognised strolling through a supermarket by an off-duty detective.