POLICE are pursuing a fraudster who has been impersonating the Governor of Phuket to scam local authorities, resorts, businesses and investors of large sums of money.

The man, posing as Governor Tri Augkaradacha, sought 30,000 baht from one local mayor in support of sports and uniforms to be purchased for local teams and gave a Bangkok bank account number.

Only after discussions about making a payment did the local council realise that the mobile telephone number that the man gave was not that of Governor Tri.

Police would like to hear from other possible contacts the man may have initiated.

A meeting of Phuket's 19 local councils and other authorities at Provincial Hall in Phuket City today was told of the fraudster's activities.

Governor Tri has issued a letter warning about the fraudster. It says: ''Someone is pretending to be the Governor of Phuket, using the telephone numbers 083 96444413 and 086 1700012. They may use other telephone numbers as well.

''The person is calling to local authorities, companies, restaurants, resorts and other businesses in Phuket seeking fund support for sport and team uniforms for football and asking for 30,000 baht to 40,000 baht.

''The person usually mentions that the President of the Football Association of Thailand, Worawee Makudee is a supporter of the project.

''Don't believe anyone who calls and asks for money in this fashion. We hope the man will be under arrest soon.''

Phuket's real governor has been in Bangkok for the past two days.

Police fear others may have been taken in by the scamster. Anyone who knows more about the calls is asked to contact the Phuket Provincial Office on 076 211001.