Influencer 'Kardashian of Cheshire' Faces Prison for Hermès Handbag Fraud Scheme
Jack Watkin, a self-styled influencer known as the 'Kardashian of Cheshire,' currently awaits sentencing while incarcerated at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside, a facility once labeled Britain's most dangerous prison. The privately educated son of millionaire Cheshire parents finds himself in stark contrast to his usual plush surroundings at London's five-star Dorchester hotel, facing an inevitable jail term for a series of frauds targeting wealthy clients in the luxury handbag market.
The fraud scheme centered around what detectives have described as the 'frenzied' secondary market for Hermès handbags, perhaps the world's most sought-after accessory. Watkin utilized his charm and privileged lifestyle to defraud multiple victims, operating within a market where ownership transcends mere possession. The Hermès purchasing process requires potential buyers to first convince the Paris-based fashion house of their worthiness before joining waiting lists that can span years, with no guarantee of ultimately securing a bag.
Despite his affluent background and education at the £4,500-per-year The Ryleys independent school near his Alderley Edge home, Watkin was actually unemployed and bankrupt during the period he committed the frauds, surviving solely on money stolen from others. His early exposure to wealth included appearing in a 2016 Channel 4 documentary titled 'The Rich Kids of Instagram,' which captured him shopping for a new car at a Rolls Royce dealership.
The Hermès handbag represents one of those rare commodities that appreciates in value immediately upon purchase, creating a feverish resale market where Watkin managed to flourish through deception. His case highlights the vulnerabilities within exclusive luxury markets where social status and perceived wealth can facilitate fraudulent activities, ultimately leading to his current remand situation while awaiting formal sentencing for his crimes.
