The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a 12-year-old Swedish tsunami deepened today when a German was cleared of any suspicion of abduction and officials said the boy had not treated at any Thai hospital.

A German man sought following the disappearance of a 12-year-old Swedish tsunami victim in Thailand has been cleared after being interviewed by police.

SUNAMI orphans could be targeted by criminal gangs who want to sell them, child protection experts warned last night.

Swedish and Thai police are searching for a 12-year-old Swedish boy last seen leaving a Thai hospital with an unknown man in the aftermath of the south Asian tsunami.