US police track Ledger hoaxer

American police have narrowed down the search for the man who cruelly scammed a host of Hollywood stars by pretending to be the grieving father of late actor Heath Ledger.

An unknown man masquerading as Kim Ledger obtained the contact details of a number of movie stars and has contacted them since Ledger's death, seeking condolences and requesting they attend the 28-year-old's funeral. John Travolta and Tom Cruise are among those reportedly conned.

The hoaxer was only spotted when he gave the stars a British telephone number to contact him on - and now US authorities have tracked the suspect down to the small apartment of a 35-year-old living in England.

Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment last month. His funeral is expected to take place in secret in his hometown of Perth, Australia, next week.

The search for the conman continues.