Scammers starting adult conversations online are targeting Hampshire residents looking for love.

A Fareham resident engaged in adult conversations with someone they did not know.

After sharing "something that they now regret" a demand for money was made.

The victim made no payment, however, police are warning of the dangers of speaking to strangers online.

Many dating websites and chat rooms operate legally in the UK.

However, some fraudsters are using them to scam people looking for love.

Police warn that both men and women have lost "huge amounts of money to online dating scammers".

Online daters should be "wary of giving out personal information on a website or chat room".

Furthermore, they should "never send money abroad to someone they have never met".

A police spokesperson said: "Would you speak and act in the same manner if you met a person in a bar/pub for the first time? Unlikely!

"Scammers are out there and will utilise all sorts of tricks to lull you into a false sense of security and get as much information out of you as they can. Before you even realise it, your personal data/information has been compromised."

To report online fraud and scams call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.