Scam Artist Jailed After Stealing Over $1M From Women to Gamble

Nigel Baker, a 56-year-old who scammed women he met on the dating app Plenty of Fish, has been jailed for 17 years. Baker stole over $1 million from at least five women that he met on the site, using the money to fund his gambling habit.

Judge Charles Falk labelled Baker a “charlatan” as he sentenced him to 17 years at the Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on Monday. Upon sentencing, Baker was heard to mutter “Happy Christmas” as he was led away.

The court heard that Baker encouraged the women to take out loans of as much as £200,000 ($266,000) and sell their homes to invest in his betting business. The Times reported that he was convicted on 18 counts of fraud.

Baker told the women that he was an online bookie and guaranteed a “no-risk” return on their investment. The women insisted the money was a loan, but it was never returned.

Baker Gambled Money Away at Betfair

Rather than being a bookie, Baker used the money to gamble online at betting platforms, including Betfair. One betting account showed losses of nearly £4 million ($5.34 million).

Another gambler failed in his efforts to recover £1.5 million ($2 million) from Betfair last week. Lee Gibson filed a lawsuit against the Flutter-owned betting operator, claiming it should have stopped him from gambling when it became clear he had a problem. The court rejected this claim, stating that Gibson bore responsibility for his losses.

Baker’s defense lawyer, Alexander Williams, argued that his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Marchioness boat crash in 1989, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people.

Other victims defrauded by Baker have also come forward, the court heard, but their allegations were not heard at his fraud trial. It is unclear if all the money he lost gambling came from women he met on dating sites.

Plenty of Fish Hooked

Baker’s offences spanned from 2012 to 2020. When he had taken as much money as possible from one woman, he would go back on dating apps to target a new victim.

Judge Falk 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.”

Baker used a range of stories and excuses to elicit funds for his gambling habit. He told one woman that a London gang would kill him if she didn’t transfer him £50,000 ($67,000).

Another woman who gave Baker £80,000 ($106,000) said she felt “ashamed, disgusted, and used.” She added, “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.”

Another gambler in the UK was jailed for two and a half years in prison earlier this year after stealing 68 identities and over $200,000 to fund his habit.