“Rich Kids of Instagram” Star Admits to Hermès Bag Fraud

Jack Watkin, a 26-year-old from Alderley Edge who once appeared on Channel 4’s Rich Kids of Instagram and dubbed himself the “Kardashian of Cheshire,” has pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud related to a luxury handbag resale scam. The case was heard at Chester Crown Court, and the fraud charges stem from a scheme in which Watkin persuaded victims to invest thousands of pounds, promising access to exclusive Hermès bags or high financial returns, neither of which ever materialised.

Using an Instagram-fuelled image of wealth, including lavish stays at places like the Dorchester hotel and shopping sprees at Harrods, Watkin gained the trust of his victims. However, these displays of affluence were nothing more than a ruse. In reality, he had declared bankruptcy in 2023 and was funding his “luxury” lifestyle through deceit. In court, prosecutors revealed he kept up appearances via expensive hotel bills and designer gifts, even leveraging Hermès’s exclusivity, bags are sold by appointment only and resell at well above retail value .

Watkin initially denied the accusations when his trial began, but on the second day he changed his plea and admitted guilt. Alongside these fraud convictions, he was previously convicted earlier in the year for possession of 739 indecent images of children, including 274 in the most serious category, adding multiple child pornography charges to his record.

Investigators described Watkin as a “serial liar,” and revealed that he defrauded not only acquaintances but also family members. While marketing himself as a wealthy influencer, he had no real income or legitimate business and instead relied on borrowed money and lies to support his lifestyle.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 3, at which point Watkin may face significant prison time for both his fraudulent activities and child exploitation convictions. His case underscores the dangers of online influence and the alarming ease with which images of wealth can be fabricated, and used to harm others.