UK national jailed for 10 years over US$97m fine wine fraud
A London-based fraudster has been sentenced in New York after orchestrating a global wine investment scam that defrauded more than 140 victims.
A United Kingdom citizen has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United States for his role in a $97 million wine investment fraud scheme that targeted victims worldwide.
James Wellesley, also known as “Andrew Fuller” and “Andrew Templar”, was sentenced earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen. He was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy linked to a scheme that defrauded more than 140 investors of over $97 million.
As part of the sentence, Wellesley has been ordered to pay $1 million in forfeiture. A decision on restitution will be made at a later date.
“Unlike a fine vintage that improves over time, the defendant will spend years in prison to reflect on his fraudulent wine scheme. James Wellesley preyed on investors around the globe to induce them to invest tens of millions of dollars on lies,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. “Today’s sentence sends a message to fraudsters that that our Office will prosecute you to the full extent of the law.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. added: “James Wellesley swindled nearly $100 million from investors by pretending to be an executive broker for fine wine collections. Wellesley spoiled the reputation of a prestigious industry as well as his clients’ trust. The FBI continues to stem fraudulent schemes that steal from the wallets of victims.”
According to the case, between June 2017 and February 2019, Wellesley posed as the Chief Financial Officer and Operations Manager of Bordeaux Cellars. Alongside co-conspirator Stephen Burton, he approached investors at conferences in the United States and overseas.
Partner Content
The pair claimed that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors. These loans were said to be fully collateralised by valuable wine collections, with investors promised regular interest payments. They also stated that Bordeaux Cellars held custody of the wines as security.
These claims were false. Prosecutors confirmed that the supposed wine collectors did not exist and that Bordeaux Cellars did not hold any wine assets.
Instead, Wellesley and Burton used funds from new investors to pay earlier investors, while also diverting money for personal use. The scheme operated in a classic Ponzi-like structure.
Between June 2017 and December 2018, investors received what appeared to be interest payments. Many chose to roll over their investments into new loans. In reality, these payments were funded by incoming investor capital rather than legitimate returns.
Of the more than $97 million raised, only around $14 million was repaid before the scheme collapsed. Victims were left facing losses exceeding $83 million.
Burton pleaded guilty in July 2025 to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
The case was handled by the Business and Securities Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Related news
Georgia to auction Stalin’s 40,000-bottle wine collection
