Southend United striker Nile Ranger has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, police have said.

Mr Ranger, 25, is alleged to have been part of a scam that involved a vulnerable person’s bank details being taken so that their savings could be accessed in February 2015.

Mr Ranger, of Bounds Green, north London, has been summoned to appear at Hughbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Detectives from FALCON, the Met’s response to Fraud and Linked Crime, have charged a man with fraud and money laundering offences.

Ranger left Blackpool this summer before joining Southend (Getty) (Getty Images)

“Nile Ranger, 25, of N10, was charged on Monday 12 December with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

“He appears at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday, 14 December.

“The offences are alleged to have been committed on or around 18 February 2015 and relate to the fraudulent obtaining of bank details by telephone from a vulnerable person in order to gain access to the victim's savings.”

Ranger had not played first-team football since November 2014 before he joined Southend (Getty) (GETTY IMAGES)

The Southend striker signed a new three-and-a-half year contract with the League One Club at the start of this month, having endured difficult spells with Newcastle United, Swindon Town and most recently Blackpool.