A ‘charming’ conman who systematically defrauded single mothers he met on dating apps, stealing hundreds of thousands of pounds, has been handed a landmark 17-year prison sentence.
A Trail of Betrayal and Financial Ruin
Nigel Baker, 56, from Romford, Essex, was convicted of 18 counts of fraud by false representation following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The court heard how the father-of-two targeted divorced single mothers on platforms like Plenty of Fish, presenting himself as a vulnerable but successful businessman seeking a long-term partner.
Over an eight-year period between 2012 and 2020, Baker convinced five women to hand over their life savings, take out massive loans, and even sell their homes. He promised to invest the money in his purported online betting business, assuring them of ‘zero risk’ and a rosy financial future together.
In reality, Baker gambled the money away. One betting account used by him and funded by a victim recorded losses of nearly £4 million. His total theft from the five proven victims amounted to around £900,000, with further allegations suggesting the real figure far exceeds £1 million.
The Cruel Tactics of a ‘Charlatan’
Judge Charles Falk labelled Baker a ‘charlatan’ who ‘mercilessly and cynically exploited’ the trust of his victims. Baker’s methods were both manipulative and ruthless. He fabricated a variety of sob stories to extract money, claiming he needed cash to feed his children, repair his father’s boiler, or pay vet bills for his dog.
In one particularly egregious instance, he told a victim a London gang would kill him if she didn’t transfer £50,000. He also threatened to end the relationships if the women could not provide more funds. Once they were financially drained, he simply discarded them and returned to dating apps to find new targets.
His victims included a police officer, an NHS nurse, successful businesswomen, and an accountant. One grandmother in her 60s took out a £200,000 bridging loan against her home. The nurse handed over savings meant for her child’s wedding.
Landmark Sentence and Victims’ Anguish
As he was led from the dock, Baker muttered ‘Happy Christmas’ to his devastated victims and their families. Judge Falk imposed a 17-year sentence, believed to be the longest ever handed down for a romance fraud case in Britain.
In emotional victim impact statements, the women described the profound trauma. The police officer, who lost nearly £80,000, said she felt ‘ashamed, disgusted and used’, adding that the knowledge Baker had touched her made her ‘skin crawl’.
The accountant and grandmother stated Baker had ‘humiliated’ her and destroyed families through his ‘lies and deception’. She said he deserved to be punished for the ‘extreme financial losses’ and suffering he caused.
Judge Falk concluded that Baker’s purpose was ‘pure financial gain’ and that he ‘didn’t care a jot’ for any of the women he deceived, discarding them once he believed they had nothing left to give.
