There has, however, been some progress in the understanding of “in-person romance fraud”, with the recent conviction of Nigel Baker. His 17-year sentence, for fraud by false representation, is believed to be the longest ever for this crime. Baker targeted single mothers, divorcees, and women who had been recently bereaved, including a divorced police officer and mother of two, and an accountant. He lured them into non-existent “investment schemes” and persuaded them to take out loans to help him through various invented personal crises, causing bankruptcy and a suicide attempt. There were five victims in the court case, who lost more than £900,000 between them, but police now believe there to be many more, with Baker’s crimes stretching back to the 90s. One victim reported him in 2016, but was told that this was a “civil matter”. It took four years of pushing before she found a detective to take on the case.