'Kardashian of Cheshire' pleads guilty to fraud

A man who described himself as Cheshire’s very own Kardashian has been pleaded guilty to fraud and theft.

Jack Watkin, 26, formerly of Wilmslow Road, Alderley Edge funded his fantasy Instagram influencer lifestyle by defrauding businesses and individuals to a total value of more than £200,000.

Watkin appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 24th June where he pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud by false representation.

He has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced for the fraud and indecent images offences on Wednesday 3rd September at Chester Crown Court.

The court heard how Watkin’s used the lure of designer handbag brand Hermes as a ruse to trick people into giving him the money he needed to afford his extravagant lifestyle.

The sought-after handbags can’t be purchased over the counter. You must be invited to buy a Hermes handbag which makes it a lucrative investment as the resale value can be much higher than the original price.

The victims were told by Watkin’s that he had the contacts that could give them access to the handbags and that they could split the profits made on resale. They handed over their money in good faith, but when no bag or sign of any money from the investment opportunity arose, they would begin to ask for their money back, but he always had excuses.

He duped one woman into handing over thousands thinking she was investing in the much sought after luxury handbag when she was in fact paying his bills at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

She, like the others never received the handbags or their share in the profits of their resale.

The investigation was launched after the woman who inadvertently paid for his luxury hotel bill contacted the Metropolitan Police back in 2022 when she became suspicious of Watkin’s continued excuses.

The case was subsequently referred to Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit, who launched a full investigation.

Their enquiries unearthed a string of victims and a breath-taking amount of luxury goods, and hotel bills that Watkin’s afforded by swindling his six victims.

During the investigation detectives also found indecent images on his mobile phone for which he was found guilty at a previous hearing for possession of indecent images, extreme pornography and prohibited images.

Detective Constable Gareth Yates, of Cheshire Constabulary Economic Crime Unit said:

“Watkin’s victims lost thousands and for some, their reputation was negatively affected when deals were unable to be honoured because of Watkin’s criminal enterprise.

“Watkin’s deluded himself that he was a successful rich kid influencer, but in reality, he was stealing money from wealthy individuals under the guise of ‘business opportunities’ to fund his expensive habit of fast cars, luxury goods, including Versace crockery, and designer footwear and clothing.

“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.”

Pictured - Jack Watkin formerly of Wilmslow Road in Alderley Edge.