A MAN accused of acting as a 'money mule' for cyber-criminals has gone on trial.

Paul Yeboa, of Barlow Road, Wednesbury, denies two counts of converting criminal property.

Prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court claim the 34-year old laundered money, storing it temporarily in his bank account, after it had been fleeced from two victims by other offenders.

Outlining the case at the start of his trial yesterday prosecutor Louise McCullough said that two women had used online dating websites when they were befriended by their eventual scammers.

Jurors were told that both of the women sent the two men - whom they had never met in person - sums of money by electronic transfer.

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The first victim sent a total of £50,000 and the second £40,000, prosecutors said.

While jurors were told that Yeboa was not connected to either of the men who had scammed the women his bank account was where the victim's funds were ultimately transferred.

Prosecutor McCullough told jurors: "We say he acted as a money mule so to speak.

"The issue for you to determine is whether the crown have satisfied you so you are sure that Yeboa knew or suspected that the money put into his bank account constituted a person's benefit from criminal conduct or not.

"Or whether there is some sort of innocent explanation."

Jurors went on to hear that after Yeboa was arrested he answered no comment to all questions put to him by police.

Yeboa denies both counts and the trial - expected to last three days - continues.