A man who referred to himself as the “Kardashian of Cheshire” and confessed to defrauding individuals of thousands of pounds, has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Jack Watkin, who was facing six fraud charges totaling nearly £200,000, ultimately pleaded guilty on the second day of his trial at Chester Crown Court in June. The jury learned that he had gained the trust of his victims by projecting an image of a lavish and glamorous lifestyle.
Watkin, who appeared on a Channel 4 documentary called Rich Kids Of Instagram in 2016, indulged in extravagant spending at Harrods and luxury accommodations at The Dorchester in London, accumulating a bill exceeding £100,000, according to police reports. He was accustomed to lavish yacht trips, designer brands like Christian Louboutin, and purchasing high-end cars such as a Rolls Royce.
However, following his parents’ separation, Watkin lost access to financial support from his family. Struggling to let go of the notion of being the millionaire’s son, he resorted to deceiving his friends, family, and associates in a failed upscale scam.
Presenting himself as a fashionista socialite, Watkin convinced people to invest in a purportedly lucrative business centered around buying and selling exclusive Hermès handbags. Unfortunately, many of his victims, some of whom remain unidentified, were left out of pocket when he failed to deliver on his promises.
Christine Colbert, one of the victims and the owner of Dress Cheshire boutique, expressed her disappointment, stating that Watkin had not returned her handbags or the money owed to her. She had to reimburse a customer £17,000 out of her pocket for a bag Watkin had taken but never returned.
Watkin’s fraudulent activities led to financial losses for several individuals, including Hannah Jakes, defrauded of £98,500, and Ms. Colbert, defrauded of £43,800. He also deceived his father, Jason Watkin, out of £24,500. Despite not repaying his father, social media posts revealed he was living a lavish lifestyle.
Additionally, Watkin admitted to defrauding James Irlam of over £13,000 by falsely claiming a personal connection with the director of Hermès. He also defrauded Andor Farkas, a Harrods bartender, of £14,000 by misleading him about his wealth. Further, he pleaded guilty to defrauding Naheem Akhtar of £840 for a pair of Lora Piana shoes that were never received.
Other charges of fraud and theft were left on file. Furthermore, during the investigation, authorities discovered indecent images on Watkin’s mobile phone, resulting in his conviction for possessing indecent images, extreme pornography, and prohibited content.
In March 2024, 637 indecent images were found on Watkin’s phone, including 274 category A images of children. Subsequently, during his arrest in October 2024, his new phone contained additional indecent images of children.
