A "disgusting" fake Facebook profile masquerading as missing mum Sarah Wellgreen has been created and is sending requests to friends and family.

Ms Wellgreen has been missing since October 9 last year and her disappearance is being treated as a potential murder.

A post published on the Search for Sarah Wellgreen Facebook page this morning alerted the public to this profile, asking anyone who has been contacted by it not to respond.

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The post read: "We have been contacted by Sarah’s family this morning.

"There is a fake Facebook profile bearing nothing other than Sarah’s picture and sending out friend requests to her friends and family and others associated with her, which has caused them great distress.

"We are asking members of our page to please not respond to any requests from anyone posing as Sarah Wellgreen.

"This is obviously done by a very insensitive individual.

"The matter is being handled by Kent Police."

A spokesperson for the volunteer group told News Shopper: "We think it’s disgusting and cruel that anyone would want to do something so heartless.

"We just continue to support the family and make sure that the thousands of people who care stay informed."

Ex-partner of Ms Wellgreen, Ben Lacomba, is due to stand trial in June after being charged with her murder in December last year.

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Mr Lacomba, 38, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Maidstone Crown Court on January 17.

When contacted for a comment regarding the fake Facebook profile, senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Ivan Beasley said: "Kent Police has been notified of a fake social media profile using the name and photograph of murder victim, Sarah Wellgreen.

"This information is being assessed by the investigation team to establish whether any criminal offences have been committed."

Kent Police have also said that anybody who believes that their account has been duplicated or their image has been used in a bogus social media account can contact the relevant platform to request its removal.