Man jailed over Rolex watch fraud in Ellesmere Port

A man has been jailed after admitting fraudulently obtaining a Rolex from a seller on Facebook.

Ricky Casey, 28, from Goatswood Lane, Navestock, Essex appeared at Chester Crown Court on 11 November to be sentenced to 20 months in prison after pleading guilty to theft from a person, fraud by false representation and threat to damage or destroy property.

On 17 July the victim arranged for Casey to view the Rolex watch at his address in Ellesmere Port.

Casey didn’t turn up at the agreed time, so the victim went out. His doorbell then notified him that there was someone at the door and that it was Casey. He returned home and allowed Casey in to view the watch, agreeing to the price of £4,500.

The victim gave his wife’s bank details for Casey to pay the money into and then checked with her that the money had transferred into the account. No money had gone in.

Casey showed his phone which appeared to say payment was authorised.

The victim insisted he wasn’t handing over the watch until payment was confirmed.

Casey became abusive demanding the victim owed him £4,500 and threatened to burn his house down.

Casey then told him his wife and child wanted to see the watch and he was running out of time before running out to his car with the watch and locking the door. The victim tried to open the door and banged on the window.

Casey then drove off leaving the victim without payment or the watch.

It was reported to police and using Facial Recognition on the doorbell footage of the suspect, they got a hit on Casey.

He was circulated as wanted and arrested by the Metropolitan Police. Detectives from Ellesmere Port CID interviewed Casey who replied no comment to all questions and denied any knowledge of the watch.

He had pleaded not guilty and was due to face a trial but changed his plea to guilty.  The victim’s watch was never located.

DC Sarah Lister from Ellesmere Port CID said:

“Casey knew he was never going to pay for this watch and was determined to take it no matter what, so when the victim rightly didn’t believe him when he showed the fake payment authorisation and his fraudulent attempt was blown, he became abusive and stole the watch from him anyway.

“What he didn’t anticipate was our determination to find him and bring him to justice.”