A self-proclaimed “rich kid of Instagram” who once bragged his family were the “British Kardashians” has been jailed for six years after scamming friends and relatives out of nearly £200,000.
Jack Watkin, 26, from Cheshire, posed as a millionaire on social media to dupe wealthy acquaintances, including his own father, into investing in a fake designer handbag business.
Watkin promised his victims huge profits from reselling luxury Hermes handbags. But no bags ever existed, and he instead splurged the cash on a lavish lifestyle that included luxury hotels, chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces, and designer goods.
Chester Crown Court heard Watkin spent more than £1.2 million over two years, including £136,000 on rooms at London’s five-star Dorchester Hotel and £68,000 at Harrods.
He was finally caught when one of his victims lured him to a pub under the guise of buying a £30,000 Rolex, only for police to arrest him in the car park.
The former Channel 4 Rich Kids of Instagram star admitted six counts of fraud, totalling £195,000.
Judge Simon Berkson told him, “You portrayed yourself as a millionaire with knowledge of luxury products, staying at five-star hotels and drinking in exclusive bars, all while deceiving people for your own gain.”
Among his victims were businesswoman Christine Colbert, who lost over £43,000, and Watkin’s father, who was conned out of £14,000. Ms. Colbert later helped expose Watkin by turning “detective” and tracking him down through social media.
In a tearful statement, Ms Colbert said Watkin “preyed on my good nature,” leaving her “ashamed and exhausted.”
Watkin had previously boasted of owning Rolls-Royces and a mansion in Alderley Edge, likening his family to the Kardashians. However, his lifestyle began to unravel after being cut off financially by his father in 2019.
Police later discovered a trove of luxury goods in a Knightsbridge storage unit and found indecent images on his phone — for which he was sentenced to an additional 18 months.
Detective Constable Gareth Yates said, “Watkin built an illusion of wealth to deceive others. His Instagram fame became a weapon for fraud.”