A man who styled himself as the 'Kardashian of Cheshire' while living a champagne lifestyle funded by crime has been jailed for six years for masterminding a sophisticated fraud operation.
Anthony May, 46, convinced victims he was a wealthy property developer with connections to celebrities and royalty, using his polished appearance and apparent wealth to gain their trust.
The Elaborate Con
May's fraudulent activities centred around luxury goods, particularly high-end Hermès handbags valued at over £200,000. His modus operandi involved:
- Posing as a successful businessman with property interests across the UK
- Claiming connections to high-profile figures including royalty
- Using fake names and business entities to appear legitimate
- Promising investment opportunities that never materialised
Lavish Lifestyle Funded by Crime
The court heard how May used his ill-gotten gains to fund an extravagant lifestyle that included:
- Staying at five-star hotels including The Dorchester
- Driving luxury vehicles including a Bentley and Range Rover
- Wearing designer clothes and expensive jewellery
- Fine dining and champagne consumption
Detective Constable Chris Hughes of Cheshire Police described May as "a prolific and serial fraudster who went to great lengths to create an illusion of wealth and success."
The Downfall
May's house of cards began to collapse when victims started questioning why promised returns never materialised. His sentencing at Chester Crown Court brings to an end a sophisticated fraud that left multiple victims financially and emotionally devastated.
Judge Simon Berkson told May: "You presented yourself as a man of considerable means when in fact you were funding your lifestyle through dishonesty."
The case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of sophisticated fraudsters who use apparent wealth and status to gain trust before exploiting their victims.
