What happens when a luxurious life built on social media begins to crumble?
That’s exactly what played out in the dramatic downfall of Jack Watkin, once a flashy figure on Instagram who dubbed himself the “Kardashian of Cheshire.”
Watkin, who previously starred in Channel 4’s Rich Kids of Instagram, is now facing prison for scamming his own friends and family out of nearly £200,000 — all to fuel a lifestyle he couldn’t actually afford.
The Illusion of Wealth and the Price Others Paid
Watkin, now 26, wasn’t shy about showing off. His social media was filled with luxury cars, designer outfits, and five-star stays.
But what seemed like a life of privilege was actually funded by deception.
Prosecutors revealed that Watkin lured victims — including his own father — into a fake business deal involving Hermes handbags.
He promised attractive returns for helping him purchase and resell the high-end bags. In reality, neither the bags nor the profits ever existed.
Instead, Watkin blew the money on living large: six months at London’s Dorchester Hotel racked up a £136,000 bill, another £22,000 went into chauffeured rides in a Rolls Royce, and nearly £68,000 vanished in Harrods shopping sprees.
All of this, while his so-called “investors” were left empty-handed and deceived.
Behind the Designer Facade: A Darker Truth Emerges
As shocking as the fraud was, it wasn’t the full extent of Watkin’s legal troubles.
Earlier this year, he was convicted at the same court of possessing child pornography — a disturbing twist in an already tangled story.
Authorities only discovered the images after seizing his phone during the fraud investigation.
He now awaits sentencing for both the fraud and the child pornography charges, with the judge stating that a prison sentence is “inevitable.”
Promises of Profit That Never Came
The scam, according to prosecutors, was as clever as it was cruel.
Watkin told investors that he had insider access to Hermes through a personal relationship with the brand’s director, granting him rare access to handbags with resale potential.
That claim was completely false. But it was enough to convince multiple people to part with large sums of money.
One of the biggest losses was suffered by Hannah Jakes, a longtime friend, who gave him more than £98,000.
Businesswoman Christine Colbert was another major victim, losing £43,800 and even having two luxury handbags — one worth £21,000 and the other £8,000 — stolen from her boutique, Dress Cheshire.
A Breakdown with His Father and a Web of Lies
Watkin’s scam seems to have kicked off after a falling out with his father, Jason Watkin, a property mogul.
When Jason refused to invest £100,000 into his son’s so-called business in 2019, Watkin turned to others to keep up appearances.
His father ended up being duped as well, losing almost £14,000.
The court heard that as the pandemic hit, Watkin claimed financial hardship — yet he was still spending lavishly with no formal income.
It was a con powered by charisma and online clout.
More Victims Come Forward
Watkin didn’t stop at friends and family.
He even fooled strangers. Businessman James Irlam, introduced through a family connection, lost £24,500 after initially buying a Birkin bag from Watkin.
Harrods barman Andor Farkas lost £14,000 after being promised a return for letting Watkin use his credit card.
Naheem Akhtar transferred £840 for a pair of designer shoes that never arrived.
Each story followed the same pattern: Watkin flashed wealth, earned trust, and then disappeared when it came time to deliver.
Social Media Exposure Brings Justice
It was frustration and a bit of detective work that finally brought Watkin down.
Colbert, desperate to recover her losses, went public on Instagram with a warning.
Jakes saw the post, reached out, and together they realized they had both been conned.
They set a trap — arranging a meeting with Watkin, during which police swooped in to arrest him.
When questioned, Watkin insisted his lifestyle was supported by his mother and a mysterious partner.
But the truth emerged during a deeper investigation, revealing that he’d even pawned designer goods and had already declared bankruptcy.
“Kardashian of Cheshire” Built a Life of Lies
Detective Constable Gareth Yates described Watkin as someone who built a false image online to lure people in.
“People followed him with the desire to be him,” he said.
It was this digital persona — polished, rich, and confident — that served as the bait for his fraudulent schemes.
Watkin’s charm was his weapon.
“To convince people for years that they’ll get their money or goods — that takes a certain kind of manipulation,” said Senior Crown Prosecutor Laura Atherton.
What Comes Next?
Watkin is currently in custody and will be sentenced in September for both the fraud and the child pornography convictions.
The once-celebrated “rich kid” has fallen hard, and this time, there are no designer bags or flashy jets waiting to save him.