FIVE Hampshire people have been charged in connection with a dating site scam.

They are all charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and are due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Friday, February 21.

Detective Constable Darrin Carey said: “These charges come following a lengthy investigation into an alleged scam where women are asked to hand over significant amounts of cash after meeting men on the match.com dating website.

“Alleged victims in this case are from the Basingstoke area, across Hampshire and England.”

“If you have any information which may assist this investigation, please contact me on 101.”

Emmanuel Oko, 29, of Waverley Grove, Southsea, Brooke Boston, 28, of Chelsea Road, Southsea, Monty Emu, 28, of Frencham Road, Southsea, Eberechi Ekpo, aged 26, of Adair Road, Southsea and Chukwuka Ugwu, aged 28, of Somers Road, Southsea have all been charged along with Adewunmi Nusi, 26, of Bomford Close, Hermitage, Berkshire, for alleged involvement in the scam.

Match.com offers the following safety advice: "Criminals should not get away with scams whether on dating sites, over the internet or in any walk of life.

“While the authorities and dating sites work closely together to ensure a safe environment on the internet, we encourage everyone to apply the same caution when meeting people online as they would meeting through friends or in a bar.

"Never give money to anyone just as you would never give money to someone you recently met in a pub or cafe, don’t share personal contact details off the site and if in doubt, use the highly visible “report a concern” button which flags issues to our care team."