Moment 'rich kid influencer' with Versace crockery arrested for £200k fraud
Jack Watkin, 26, exploited the allure of the designer handbag brand Hermes as a ploy to coax people into parting with their cash to sustain his lavish lifestyle, a court was told.
The phoney millionaire assured his victims that he had contacts who could secure access to the handbags and that they could share the profits from resale, a crown court heard.
Read more: 'Stressed' drug dealer caused carnage
However, when they never received a bag or any financial return on their investment, they demanded their money back - but he always had excuses at the ready.
Watkin, previously of Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge, showed up at Chester Crown Court where he admitted to eight counts of fraud by false representation.
Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary Economic Crime Unit stated: "Watkin's deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer.
"But in reality, he was nicking money from well-off individuals under the pretence of 'business opportunities' to fund his pricey penchant for fast cars, luxury goods, including Versace crockery, and designer footwear and clothing.
"Watkin's victims were left out of pocket by thousands and for some, their reputation took a hit when deals couldn't be honoured due to Watkin's criminal venture.
"It was never going to end well, and his downfall was inevitable.
"Eventually his lies caught up with him and he is now facing the consequences of his deceit, and his perversions."
Hermes handbags aren't items you can just pick up from a shop; an exclusive invite is needed to snap up this luxury good – making it not just a fashion statement but an investment as resale values often exceed original prices.
Watkin conned a woman into parting with thousands under the guise of investing in these coveted Hermes bags, when in reality her money was squandered on lavish expenses at the Dorchester Hotel in London, according to what was heard in court.
The woman was left bagless and profitless from their supposed shared venture in the high-end resale market.
Becoming wary of Watkin's never-ending excuses, she reported the vanished funds to the Metropolitan Police back in 2022.
Her case was transferred to the sharp-eyed squad of Cheshire Constabulary's Economic Crime Unit, prompting a thorough probe.
Their diligent efforts revealed a pattern of victims and a lavish lifestyle filled with luxury items and extravagant hotel stays, all funded through Watkin's deception of six individuals.
Amid the investigation, officers also stumbled upon indecent imagery stored on Watkin's phone.
Previously, Watkin was convicted for holding indecent images, extreme pornography, and prohibited pictures.
He remains behind bars, awaiting his sentence for both the fraud and indecent image charges.
The judgment day is penned for Wednesday September 3 at Chester Crown Court.
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