The police in Portland are searching for a man who allegedly tricked an elderly couple into giving him close to $200,000, thinking that he was seriously hurt in a car accident.

THE STAR heard that about a month ago the man was hit by the couple's vehicle in a section of the parish. It is alleged that he subsequently faked his injuries while fleecing money from them, supposedly for medical treatment and examinations.

Constable Michael Hendricks of the Portland police said he was familiar with the details of the case and investigations are being done. He said that the police are looking for the man at the centre of the incident.

It is said that the 26-year-old man of Port Antonio has now fled his home after one of his relatives revealed the scam to the elderly couple.

"The information we heard is that his cousin told the couple what was happening ... He told them that his cousin wasn't sick as he claimed and he had simply tricked them. After that, he left his home and is yet to be seen, so it seems it's true," the constable said.

Police said following the accident, the man told the couple that he had serious back, hip and leg injuries and could not even walk. It is alleged that on three separate occasions within a two-week period he was given $50,000, and on a fourth occasion he was given $45,000.

The police said that the man told the couple that it was better for them to deal with the incident in such a manner because it would be less costly for them. He told them if he decided to seek legal representation they would end up paying millions to him.

"All he did was to use his head on them. And it seems they believed him and were scared so they just gave him the money ... They should thank God for the cousin, who claimed to be a strong Christian," Constable Hendricks said.