Heath Ledger scammer also pretended to be a pro wrestler

Police are investigating whether a man who falsely claimed to be Heath Ledger's grieving father is actually a con artist from the north of England who tricked children into thinking he was a pro wrestler.

According to a US report, authorities believe 35-year-old Wayne Scott may be the man who impersonated Ledger's father, Kim, just days after the actor died.

Scott, from Scarborough in England, was due to appear in Scarborough Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday) to face charges of fraud by false representation and conveying an indecent message, police sources told a US newspaper.

Two of the charges reportedly stem from Scott pretending to be a pro wrestler and calling sick kids, some of whom were terminally ill, in their hospital beds. He is accused of promising to visit the children to give them World Wrestling Entertainment tickets and paraphernalia.

He also reached out to US and British organizations that grant the wishes of dying children by pretending to be a pro wrestler, sources told the New York Daily News.

But detectives from the New York Police Department [NYPD], believe Scott made several calls to Kim Ledger, as well as duping several Hollywood stars. Investigators traced the calls made by the impostor to the seaside town of Scarborough in north-eastern England where Scott lives, the sources said.

Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger was found dead in his New York loft apartment on January 22. He was 28.

A toxicology report which will reveal the cause of death is expected to be released today (Wed).

After Ledger's body was found by his masseuse and maid, the impostor called the city's medical examiner and pressed the doctor who performed the autopsy for toxicology results.

He also asked for grisly descriptions of the Oscar-nominated star's corpse, the sources said.

The con man also managed to get Tom Cruise's private phone number, and called the Mission Impossible star to pass on his condolences over Ledger's death - while pretending to be Kim Ledger.

He reportedly also asked John Travolta to send him money so he could buy a ticket to fly from New York to Australia, where Ledger's family lives and his body will be laid to rest.

And he also contacted actors Mel Gibson, Halle Berry and Christian Bale, the sources said.

He even got the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home - where Heath Ledger's body was taken - to book him a suite at the posh Carlyle Hotel.

The funeral home received Ledger's body from the medical examiner and sent it to Los Angeles for a memorial service.

Six anti-anxiety and sleeping prescription drugs were found near Heath Ledger's body.

Police said no illegal drugs were discovered in his rented home.

An initial postmortem examination failed to determine the cause of death.

By Gavin Wilson, Feb 06 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy