Scottish businessman jailed for £1.1m watch fraud

Adam Moore-Lynch, a 38-year-old businessman from Dumbarton in Scotland, was sentenced to five years and one month in prison on Wednesday at Manchester Crown Court for defrauding nearly 50 customers out of more than 1.1 million pounds through his watch dealership in Manchester city center.

Moore-Lynch operated Manchester Watch Hub on King Street, initially as a legitimate business specializing in second-hand luxury watches. He attracted clients by promising to sell their high-value timepieces on consignment, taking a commission for his services. The company boasted connections to celebrity customers and enjoyed early success. However, as financial difficulties mounted, Moore-Lynch turned to fraudulent practices starting in August 2023. Instead of returning the watches or proceeds to owners, he sold the items and pocketed the money, operating elements of a Ponzi scheme to sustain appearances. The fraud continued until the business closed in November 2023, affecting 45 victims with combined losses totaling 1,160,460 pounds, according to court records. Greater Manchester Police estimated the overall figure at around 1.2 million pounds.

Among the stolen items was a Rolex Daytona...