Match.com dating fraud charges denied
Four men and a woman have denied operating a scam using the dating website Match.com.
The five, from Southsea and Titchfield in Hampshire and Hermitage in Berkshire, appeared at Winchester Crown Court accused of scamming women out of thousands of pounds.
They all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.
A sixth person who is also charged is yet to enter a plea. All six defendants will stand trial on 18 August.
The group is accused of creating fake profiles as part of the alleged plot.
Match.com has reiterated its safety messages, including advising users not to share personal contact details off the site.
The accused men from Southsea are Monty Emu, 28, of Frensham Road, Eberechi Ekpo, 26, of Adair Road, and Chukwuka Ugwu, 28, of Somers Road.
The woman is Brooke Boston, 28, of Common Lane, Titchfield.
The man from Hermitage is Adewunmi Nusi, 36, of Bomford Close, and the other man who is yet to plead is Emmanuel Oko, 29, of Waverley Grove, Southsea.
The trial is expected to last four weeks.