A serial romance fraudster described as a "psychopath" by his victims has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for swindling women out of almost £1 million in one of Britain's largest ever dating scams.
The 'Romford Romeo' and His Web of Deceit
Nigel Baker, 56, from Hornchurch, Essex, used a string of false identities to prey on middle-aged divorcees across dating websites for years. Posing under names including 'Ben', 'Dave', and 'James', he fabricated professions as a 'turf accountant' and 'online bookie', promising a "head start for happiness" while searching for a "soulmate".
In reality, the gambling addict was stringing along multiple women simultaneously, selling them similar fairytales and sob stories. His cruel scheme, which police believe spanned four decades, targeted professional women including a banker, a company chief executive, an accountant, an NHS nurse, and a police officer.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
Baker's method involved intense 'love bombing' – showering targets with affectionate messages to quickly build trust. He would present himself as a successful, divorced family man before revealing a fabricated financial crisis, often blaming a vindictive ex-wife.
He then convinced victims to lend him large sums, claiming he needed capital to place "foolproof" bets on Betfair to revive his fortunes. The money he extracted came from life savings, pensions, family inheritances, and even bridging loans secured against homes.
Accountant Shelly Monk, 61, met 'Ben' on Plenty of Fish in February 2020. Over nine months, he manipulated her into handing over £275,000, maxing out her credit cards and securing a £200,000 loan against her Surrey home. When she asked for repayment, he coldly reminded her the debts were in her name. Shelly lost her home, was forced to move to Bristol with friends, and now lives in Spain.
Threats, Blackmail, and Devastating Consequences
When victims confronted Baker or demanded their money back, his charming facade dropped to reveal a menacing predator. One businesswoman, who lost over £500,000 between 2014 and 2018, was threatened with having her "legs chopped off".
A police officer, tricked out of £76,000, received a nasty, threatening voice note after she grew suspicious. Baker attempted to blackmail her with intimate photos they had shared, warning he would "ruin" her if she went to the police.
The damage extended far beyond finances. Tamazin Morley, 57, a chief executive who met Baker on Match in 2015, tried to take her own life after losing her home. Another victim, a former banker, died in tragic circumstances before Baker's trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court could begin.
Justice Served and a Stark Warning
Following a month-long trial in October, Baker was convicted of fraud against five women between 2012 and 2020. This week, he received a 17-year sentence – believed to be the longest ever UK prison term for romance fraud.
The court heard he blew most of the stolen money on betting, but also funded expensive holidays, cruises, and designer clothes for himself and his family. A former friend revealed Baker had been "conning women for more than 25 years".
Victims have spoken out to highlight the red flags they missed, urging others to be vigilant. These include rapid declarations of love ('love bombing'), requests for money early in a relationship, and profiles that seem too good to be true. Their message is clear: protect your heart, and your finances, by taking things slowly and verifying a person's story independently.
