A HAMPSHIRE opera singer was among a string of women across the world to fall victim to an internet conman who may have taken them for more than a million pounds.

John Keady, 44, trawled dating sites claiming to be a businessman and international yachtsman to win the affections of women in their 30s and 40s.

Lawyers, doctors, bankers and other successful business women were among those he targeted.

Laura Hudson, 35, said she had been completely taken in by Keady.

She said: "He is very clever. When I met him he claimed to have a PhD and he did just enough research to spin the web.

"If he applied his mind to anything honest he would be very talented."

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Meanwhile mum-of-three Sara Terry, 42, from Hampshire, was also conned out of £35,000 after meeting Keady on an internet dating site where he posed under the names "plentyoffish" and "Zoosk"

At Truro Crown Court Keady, born Peter Berry, was jailed for five years and three months after pleading guilty to three counts of deception, five thefts and eleven frauds.

The charges related to eight victims from who he stole credit cards, took out loans in their names and borrowed cash totalling £80,000.

However, detectives investigating the case claim over 20 years he may have taken more than a million pounds from over 100 victims, many too embarrassed to come forward.

Judge Christopher Elwyn said: "It strikes me that the prospect of you ever leading an honest life are nil.

"Lies are woven into the fabric of your being. I don't believe your expressions of remorse and regret. They are all part of a pattern of lying and deceit which is the hallmark of your life."

"The distress, unhappiness, anxiety and depression caused to the victims was palpable and has left them burdened with debts."