Kevin Halligen, 48 year old businessman who was once hired by the US authorities to help look for Madeleine McCann, and is wanted in an alleged fraud case, was arrested at a local hotel yesterday. Currently in custody in the country, Halligen was arrested from the Old Bank Hotel, Oxford, after a discrepancy erupted with regards to his hotel bill.

Two weeks ago, the US Department of Justice had issued an indictment for the British citizen, over allegations that he tried to defraud a law firm in London of over 2 Million Dollars (1.2 Million Pounds).

"We arrested a 48-year-old man at the Old Bank Hotel in Oxford. It was a discrepancy over his hotel bill", Thames Valley Police shared in an official statement.

Halligen's firm, Oakley International, was appointed by Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry for nearly 6 months to look for their missing daughter. The indictment from the US authorities came earlier this month, and detailed that while the businessman had claimed that the funds have to be used to secure the release of Trafigura's two business executives, they were instead used by Halligen to buy a mansion in Virginia.

The McCanns have, however, declined to say anything on the matter. "Our association with Halligen and Oakley International ended well over a year ago. Given that an arrest has been made it would be inappropriate for us to comment", said the family's spokesperson.