Argentinian police are investigating the mysterious murder of a British backpacker who was shot five times in the back a man on a moped.

Harry Christopher, 29, was walking near his hotel in Moron, a city near Buenos Aires, on Friday when he was attacked by the man with a 9mm-calibre pistol. Police believe the murder may have been the result of a robbery gone wrong, but are also investigating links to drugs crime.

Chief prosecutor Federico Nieve Woodgate said: "Mr Christopher died in the street after being shot several times by one of two men riding a moped.

"From the accounts of witnesses it seems to have been a bungled robbery.

"Two men rode up to him on the moped, and one grabbed his backpack. Mr Christopher wrestled the bag back, and was running off when he was shot five times.

"He died on the floor a few minutes later.

"The two men escaped, leaving behind the victim's bag, which contained a laptop computer and mobile phone."

He said the investigation had been hampered by confusion over Mr Christopher's true identity, and by claims he allegedly made that he was involved in the drugs trade.

Mr Christopher had told a number of people in the city, including his Argentinian girlfriend that he was from Belfast but his passport showed he was born in Luton. He told one hostel in which he stayed that he was Dutch, and allegedly boasted that he was a drugs trafficker.

Detectives have found drugs paraphernalia in his room at the Hotel Moron, according to local news reports.

"At the moment it is very difficult for us to figure out what is fact and what is fiction," said Mr Woodgate. "We are investigating possible links to the drugs trade as Mr Christopher told several people in Buenos Aires that he was involved n drugs trafficking or dealing. He told his girlfriend he was involved in drugs and was scared of being hurt by someone in the drugs underworld"

Public prosecutors have described the crime as "attempted robbery and homicide".

British Embassy officials said Mr Christopher's mother was travelling to Buenos Aires

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