A man alleged to have conned 34 people out of money after telling them their neighbours' property had been flooded with raw sewage has been charged with fraud and money laundering.

George Wickens, 23, is accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by making a false representation and conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property, the South East regional organised crime unit (Serocu) said.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in Sussex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, London and Devon, between October 2013 and April 2014, when victims claim they were told their neighbours' property had been flooded with raw sewage originating from their property, which required specialist equipment to be hired and a returnable deposit to be paid, a police spokesman said.

Wickens, of Iveagh Crescent, Newhaven, is in custody and will appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court tomororw (Wednesday).