July 19, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

High-End Beverly Hills Watch Dealer Sentenced to Over 5 Years for $5.6M Fraud

“The Timepiece Gentleman” Ran Luxury Watch Scheme, Defrauded Clients

“The Timepiece Gentleman” was sentenced Wednesday to 70 months in federal prison for defrauding dozens of customers out of at least $5.6 million through his Beverly Hills luxury watch consignment business.

Anthony Farrer, 36, formerly of downtown Los Angeles, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton after pleading guilty in October 2024 to one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud. He has been in federal custody since November 2023.

“This defendant stole millions of dollars from customers who trusted him and then used his ill-gotten gains to fund his exorbitant lifestyle,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that those who defraud the public will be held accountable.”

Authorities said Farrer operated his business, also called “The Timepiece Gentleman,” as a high-end watch consignment service, connecting buyers and sellers of luxury watches, including brands such as Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Philippe. Under typical consignment agreements, clients would ship their watches to Farrer, who agreed to display and market them at his Beverly Hills store and online. Once a watch was sold, Farrer was supposed to remit the sales proceeds to the client minus a consignment fee of approximately 5%. If a watch remained unsold, Farrer was expected to return it to the client.

Instead, federal prosecutors said Farrer sold client watches and kept the proceeds. In some cases, he used client watches as collateral for personal loans without their knowledge or permission. When questioned about the status of a consigned watch, Farrer falsely told clients the watch had not yet been sold despite having already disposed of it for personal gain.

Farrer also purported to purchase watches on behalf of clients, accepting funds via wire transfer or payment processors such as Zelle. However, he used the money to finance his luxury lifestyle, which included leasing high-end cars, apartments, and other extravagant purchases. In some instances, he sent clients substitute watches—often belonging to other unwitting customers—to create a false sense of security regarding the status of their transactions. Prosecutors compared the scheme to a Ponzi operation.

“The so-called ‘Timepiece Gentleman’ was actually a con man whose time living lavishly ran out when the high-end watch owners he victimized brought his crimes to the attention of law enforcement,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Farrer defrauded more than 40 victims, causing total losses of at least $5,691,005. He will also be subject to a restitution order, with the exact amount to be determined.

The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Beverly Hills Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua O. Mausner of the Violent and Organized Crime Section prosecuted the case.

in News
Related Posts

Santa Monica College to Perform “Seussical (Theatre for Young Audiences)”

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The 75-minute family-friendly musical, set in the Jungle of Nool, follows Horton the elephant as he protects a speck of...

Congressman Secures $14.5M for Westside, San Fernando Valley Projects

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The initiatives address wildfire mitigation, public safety, housing, and community services Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that a key...

City Launches Free RAMP Webinar for Small Businesses

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The online event aims to help small businesses tap into procurement opportunities across Southern California through the RAMP platform The...

Venice Family Clinic Slams HHS Funding Restrictions as Assault on Immigrants

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

HHS announced on July 10 that it would restrict access to programs like community health centers, Head Start, and other...

Salt & Straw Celebrates Ice Cream Week with Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone Through the Weekend

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The item launched nationwide, available with any ice cream flavor or as an exclusive sundae featuring Strawberry Honey Balsamic ice...

Former Hammer Museum Director Receives Getty Prize, Awards $500,000 to NPR

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Philbin’s tenure at the Hammer saw the launch of the Hammer Projects series and the Made in L.A. biennial, alongside...

California Sues Trump Administration Over High-Speed Rail Funding Cut

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Newsom described the move as a “heartless attack on the Central Valley,” threatening jobs and livelihoods Governor Gavin Newsom announced...

LAX Metro Transit Center Boosts K Line Ridership, Overall Metro Sees Slight Decline

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The station completes the K Line, allowing continuous service from Expo/Crenshaw Station to Redondo Beach and enhancing regional connectivity through...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...