Watkin, a man previously featured on Channel 4's 'Rich Kids of Instagram', used a false wealthy persona to scam friends and family into lending him money for luxury items like Hermes handbags, which he then sold or used to fund a lavish lifestyle.

His crimes were uncovered in spring 2024 when police arrested him at The Merlin hotel in Alderley Edge, seizing phones containing indecent images of children.

Watkin's deception involved convincing victims to lend him money, leading to significant financial and emotional harm, with some victims warning others about his manipulative tactics.

The scam was exposed after a collaborator, Colbert, identified Watkin's scheme and helped police set a trap, resulting in his arrest at a Cheshire pub while dressed in designer gear.

Following his parents' divorce, Watkin lost access to his family's wealth and declared bankruptcy, which contributed to his turn to fraudulent activities.

Between April 2019 and October 2021, Watkin spent approximately £1.2 million before declaring bankruptcy, and he pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges.

During sentencing, the judge condemned Watkin for exploiting others through deception and false promises of wealth, emphasizing his motivation driven by greed and personal luxury.

The judge also highlighted the emotional scars and financial damage caused to victims, including a woman who lost £17,000 and had to reimburse a customer from her own funds.

In addition to fraud, Watkin received an 18-month sentence for child pornography offenses, on top of his existing 4.5-year sentence, after police seized phones with indecent images of children.

His arrest revealed a lifestyle funded by stolen money, leading to significant personal and financial damage, and police believe many more victims have yet to come forward due to embarrassment.

His defense argued that his fraud stemmed from a lack of emotional maturity and possible autism-related issues, claiming he was genuinely remorseful and that his criminal behavior was not initially intended.

Watkin was known for his luxury lifestyle, which he portrayed on television and social media, but this image was built on deception and financial misconduct.