- Dating app conman posed as betting expert to lure vulnerable women
- Victims urged to sell homes and take loans for fake investments
- Judge calls sustained romance fraud cynical, calculated, and purely for profit
A man dubbed Britain’s most prolific romance fraudster who siphoned off the life savings of five divorced mothers has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Nigel Baker, 56, sought his victims out via dating apps, and claimed to be a successful online sports betting operator. In reality, he was a gambling addict who sunk more than £900K (US$1.14 million) of their money into wagering platforms.
Between 2012 and 2020, Baker, a father of two from Romford, England, encouraged victims to take out loans and even sell their homes to invest in his “risk-free” betting business, according to prosecutors.
One of Baker’s betting accounts had total losses of almost £4 million (US$5 million).
Trust Exploited
For his victims, Baker represented a second chance of love. He told them he was building for their shared futures while maintaining overlapping relationships with three of the women and “mercilessly and cynically exploit[ing] the trust of his victims,” Judge Charles Falk told the court.
He concocted numerous excuses to ask for money, such as that he couldn’t afford food for his children, or that his dog was ill and he couldn’t pay veterinary bills. He even claimed he would be killed by a criminal gang if he did not give them £50,000 (US$63K).
The five known victims included a police officer, a businesswoman, a nurse, and an accountant. Since Baker’s arrest, additional victims have come forward, pushing the total amount allegedly stolen to more than £1 million (US$1.27 million), although those allegations were not prosecuted.
“What I thought was love and connection was manipulation and deceit for financial gain,” one victim told the court, describing Baker as a “dangerous predator who has no morals or regard for anyone.”
PSTD Claim
Baker’s defense lawyer argued that his client suffered post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Marchioness disaster, a 1989 boat crash on the River Thames in London that resulted in the deaths of 51 people.
But the judge was unmoved, labelling Baker a “complete charlatan” at his sentencing hearing.
“These offences represent a sustained and calculated course of conduct over several years,” he said.
Your purpose was pure financial gain. You didn’t care a jot for any of them, and you mercilessly and cynically exploited [their] trust.
“When they had lost everything — or you thought they had lost everything — you would discard them and move on to your next victim,” the judge added.
“Merry Christmas!” Baker muttered as he was led down to the cells.
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