NOTORIOUS fraud suspect John Arthur Edwards could face more than 30 criminal charges when he is eventually brought back to Cairns.

But the accused conman is expected to remain in police custody in South Australia for now, following his capture about 7pm on Wednesday night.

Police arrested Mr Edwards in Adelaide, ending a national manhunt.

He was last seen in Cairns in August when police cornered him in bushland near Trinity Beach.

Soon after he escaped their grasp, he fled the Far North, having allegedly fleeced a woman of her savings after proposing marriage to her.

Det Insp John Hartwell said Smithfield police had prepared an application for Mr Edwards' extradition to Cairns where he would be charged with at least 30 offences, mostly fraud and theft.

But he was also wanted for crimes in South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria.

Det Insp Hartwell said news of Mr Edwards’ arrest would provide some relief to his alleged victims.

"It's always good when we get someone who's wanted for so many crimes," he said. "Particularly when he's been causing so much grief."

Authorities had issued more than 20 warrants for the arrest of Mr Edwards.

He talked his way into a Cairns woman’s life and they became engaged earlier this year.

The pair had signed a contract for a $700,000 northern beaches property before he allegedly cleaned out his fiancee's bank account and stole her parents' car, leaving her heart-broken and thousands of dollars worth of unpaid bills.

He had allegedly ripped off at least two other women who had developed relationships with after meeting them on a dating website.

Mr Edwards has allegedly used up to 20 aliases in Queensland alone.

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