Father and son conned Corkman out of €7k for fake Rolex watch

Two accused sold victim genuine watch but later went back to him with what was described as a superior Rolex and showed him certificates to verify it was genuine, court heard

When the victim found the watch did not work he was told to shake it and wait for a few days, court told. File picture

A Rolex watch swindle saw a father and son conning a middle-aged man living in a remote rural area to part with €7,250 and a real watch in exchange for a fake. 

When the victim found it did not work he was told to shake it and wait for a few days.

When the victim became suspicious, he travelled to a legitimate jewellers in Cork to have his purchase examined and it was confirmed he had bought a fake.

He reported the matter to gardaí and the deception was traced to 58-year-old Michael O’Regan, of Monks Walk, Dennehy’s Boreen, Killarney, Co Kerry, and his son, 37-year-old John O’Regan of Willows Grove, Ballydribbeen, Killarney.

Both men pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to inducing the victim to buy a fake Rolex in December 2020 when they called to his home in Donoughmore, Co Cork.

Judge Colin Daly will sentence the two accused in a week’s time at that court and remanded them on bail until then. 

They both have a previous conviction for a deception carried out on a woman in her 70s where she was conned into paying them for work that was not done. They got four-year suspended jail terms on that occasion back in 2019.

Garda Deirdre O’Mahony said the victim in the present case bought a legitimate Rolex watch from them for €5,200 but later they went back to him with what was described as a superior Rolex and showed him certificates to verify it was genuine, which it was not.

The victim gave them the first watch together with €7,250 for the second watch — the fake. When it did not work, he was told over the phone to shake it and that it would be fine in a few days. 

After that they did not answer his calls — or they were briefly answered and then cut off.

The injured party reported the scam to gardaí. Following an investigation which led gardaí to the father and son, they made admissions, repaid the money and gave him back the first watch.

Defence barristers Mahon Corkery and Ronan Barnes, for Michael and John O’Regan, respectively, said the men apologised, reimbursed the injured party and fully cooperated with the investigation.

“I will adjourn this for one week for sentencing,” Judge Daly said.