A civil servant in the North has been suspended for allegedly running up a £1,500 bill at a hotel where he pretended to be working on a police murder inquiry.
The man stayed several nights at the Gorteen House in Limavady, Co Derry.
It is claimed he told staff he was part of a team of officers probing the killing of William Trainor (50), whose body was found burned beyond recognition in the town earlier this year.
It is understood he told workers at the 35-bedroom hotel he was a detective sergeant brought in to investigate a murder which shocked the town, sources disclosed.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman confirmed: "The matter is under investigation."
Mr Trainor, a father-of-two, had to be identified by dental records after his remains were discovered at a disused cattle market in June. It is believed he was killed and put into a wheelie bin which was then set alight.
But once police were alerted to the alleged scam, an investigation was launched which led to the man's suspension.
It is believed he spent more than 10 years working as a civilian member of staff at police bases. The PSNI and the Northern Ireland Civil Service are also investigating his actions.
Medical reports have been submitted as part of the inquiry.
Former colleagues were stunned to learn of the investigation.
"He didn't drive and used to get officers to drop him off at the hotel, saying he was going up for a drink," one source said.
"It obviously made him seem genuine when he arrived every day in a police car."
The Gorteen House Hotel refused to comment when contacted.
"We don't wish to say anything," a duty manager said.