A romance fraudster has been handed a lengthy custodial sentence after being found guilty of defrauding multiple partners of more than £900,000 ($1.2 million) to fund a gambling habit.
Nigel James Baker, 56, was convicted of multiple counts of fraud by false representation at Snaresbrook Crown Court in a case involving five women.
Romance fraudster who stole £900,000 to fund gambling is jailed https://t.co/NFZHZmRmPW
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) December 16, 2025
According to court reporting, Baker shocked victims and their families by muttering “Merry Christmas” from the dock as custody officers led him away following sentencing.
Romance fraudster jailed
The sentence was handed down by His Honour Judge Charles Falk, who said Baker had deliberately manipulated and preyed on his victims over a sustained period.
The court heard that Baker targeted women via dating apps, including Plenty of Fish, presenting himself as a successful businessman while persuading victims to hand over large sums of money, leaving them feeling betrayed and vulnerable.
Judge Falk described Baker as a “complete charlatan” who “mercilessly and cynically exploited the trust of his victims” for financial gain.
Prosecutors told the court that Baker instructed some victims to take out loans of up to £200,000, falsely assuring them there was no risk of losing the money. He also misrepresented the use of funds, claiming the money was being traded on financial markets rather than gambled.
Baker given record sentence for fraud
During the proceedings, the court heard that Baker’s self-portrayal as a wealthy and successful businessman was a calculated ruse designed to ensnare victims. Prosecutors described his conduct as sustained and calculated offending carried out over several years.
Victims were manipulated into handing over hundreds of thousands of pounds, much of which was lost through frequent gambling. In one instance, Baker allegedly told a victim that a criminal gang would kill him unless a £50,000 payment were sent.
According to Metro reporting, one gambling account linked to Baker was found to be more than £4 million down.
Judge Falk told Baker:
“You portrayed yourself as a successful businessman with healthy prospects, looking for a special woman to comfort you and become your partner. You promised each woman either marriage or permanent partnership and a shared rosy future.”
Victim statements included testimony from a former police officer, who said: “He is a dangerous predator who has no morals or regard for anyone. The realisation has left me feeling violated in a way that is difficult to put into words. The knowledge that he touched me makes my skin crawl.”
Judge Falk sentenced Baker, from Romford, Essex, to 17 years’ imprisonment, a term believed to be among the longest ever imposed in a UK romance-fraud case.
Featured image: Cassianto via WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 4.0
The post Romance fraudster who stole $1.2M to fund a gambling habit jailed appeared first on ReadWrite.