GWENT residents caught up in an alleged investment scam are preparing to fly to Cyprus, where the court case is to take place later this month.

Former Newport man Gregory Sydenham-Hutt, who also uses the surname Tokkallos, is accused of swindling hundreds of thousands of pounds from more than 20 would-be investors between 1999 and 2003. Sergeant Lefteris Kyriacou, of the Limassol Financial Fraud Unit, in Cyprus, said Sydenham-Hutt was currently on £10,000 bail, using his wife Helen's diamonds as a surety.

He has also been granted legal aid to cover his court costs. But four alleged victims from Newport say they are finding it next to impossible to get certain details of the case while they are in this country. Steve Masters and Shaun Ray, who allege they have lost more than £340,000 and now live in London, have written to Newport West MP Paul Flynn in a bid to get more information before Mr Masters flies to Cyprus.

They say they have many unanswered questions, including: What are the final charges against Sydenham-Hutt? What is expected to happen at the next court hearing? What happened to the money? Is there any financial aid to help cover the cost of them attending court?

Mr Masters, who claims he sold his Rogerstone house to invest with Sydenham-Hutt, said that while Euro MP Glenys Kinnock had let them know the next court date was May 26, they were given conflicting information by the Cypriot police.

Roger and Diane Jones, of Tredegar Street, Rhiwderin, will be flying out at the same time as Mr Masters and are now concerned that the case will not go ahead at the Limassol court during the time they have arranged to stay in Cyprus.

Mr Ray said: "We've been left high and dry and aren't getting any help or support."

Replying to the letter, Mr Flynn MP said he had written to the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for advice and was awaiting a response.