A CHAFFORD man has been jailed for his part in swindling more than £147,000 from women in an online dating scam.

Godwin Woghiren, 33, of Harper Close, denied ten counts of money laundering, but a jury at Basildon Crown Court found him guilty after a three week trial.

A second man, Abayomi Olowo, 47, of Windsor Road, Harrow, was also found guilty of five counts of converting criminal property and one of failing to disclose suspicious activity.

Essex Police launched an operation, called Operation Pang, to snare the fraudsters.

In September 2011, Canadian authorities originally spoke with Essex Police Money Laundering Team about a victim duped into sending more than £113,000.

The victims all met men through dating websites who purported to be wealthy oil rig workers from London.

The suspects drew them into a web of lies before asking for money to help them finish projects so they could fly out and marry the victims.

Woghiren, a security guard, was sentenced to 13 months in jail. Olowo received 12 months.