A romance fraudster has been handed a prolonged custodial sentence after being discovered responsible of defrauding a number of companions of greater than £900,000 ($1.2 million) to fund a gambling habit.
Nigel James Baker, 56, was convicted of a number of counts of fraud by false illustration at Snaresbrook Crown Court docket in a case involving 5 ladies.
Romance fraudster who stole £900,000 to fund playing is jailed https://t.co/NFZHZmRmPW
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In line with court docket reporting, Baker shocked victims and their households 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 Decide Charles Falk, who stated Baker had intentionally manipulated and preyed on his victims over a sustained interval.
The court docket heard that Baker focused ladies through relationship apps, together with Loads of Fish, presenting himself as a profitable businessman whereas persuading victims handy over massive sums of cash, leaving them feeling betrayed and susceptible.
Decide Falk described Baker as a “full charlatan” who “mercilessly and cynically exploited the belief of his victims” for monetary achieve.
Prosecutors instructed the court docket that Baker instructed some victims to take out loans of as much as £200,000, falsely assuring them there was no threat of dropping the cash. He additionally misrepresented the usage of funds, claiming the cash was being traded on monetary markets reasonably than gambled.
Baker given document sentence for fraud
Throughout the proceedings, the court docket heard that Baker’s self-portrayal as a rich and profitable businessman was a calculated ruse designed to ensnare victims. Prosecutors described his conduct as sustained and calculated offending carried out over a number of years.
Victims had been manipulated into handing over a whole bunch of 1000’s of kilos, a lot of which was misplaced by frequent playing. In a single occasion, Baker allegedly instructed a sufferer {that a} felony gang would kill him except a £50,000 fee had been despatched.
In line with Metro reporting, one playing account linked to Baker was discovered to be greater than £4 million down.
Decide Falk instructed Baker:
“You portrayed your self as a profitable businessman with wholesome prospects, on the lookout for a particular lady to consolation you and turn into your companion. You promised every lady both marriage or everlasting partnership and a shared rosy future.”
Sufferer statements included testimony from a former police officer, who stated: “He’s a harmful predator who has no morals or regard for anybody. The realisation has left me feeling violated in a method that’s tough to place into phrases. The data that he touched me makes my pores and skin crawl.”
Decide Falk sentenced Baker, from Romford, Essex, to 17 years’ imprisonment, a time period believed to be among the many longest ever imposed in a UK romance-fraud case.
Featured picture: Cassianto through WikiCommons / CC BY-SA 4.0
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