James Wellesley, a United Kingdom citizen also known as “Andrew Fuller” and “Andrew Templar,” was sentenced on Apr. 20 in federal court in Brooklyn to 10 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy involving a scheme that defrauded more than 140 victims worldwide of over $97 million. United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen also ordered Wellesley to pay $1 million in forfeiture, with restitution to be determined at a later date.
The sentencing addresses the significant financial losses suffered by victims across several countries who invested funds based on false promises about high-value wine collections. The case highlights the risks of investment schemes that claim secure collateral and regular returns without transparency or verification.
According to prosecutors, from June 2017 through February 2019, Wellesley posed as Chief Financial Officer and Operations Manager of Bordeaux Cellars, along with co-conspirator Stephen Burton. They solicited investments at conferences in the United States and abroad by claiming they brokered loans between investors and wealthy wine collectors, secured by valuable wine collections held by Bordeaux Cellars. However, these representations were false; there were no such collectors or collateralized wines. Instead, funds from new investors were used to pay earlier participants in what authorities described as a Ponzi-like scheme.
“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,” said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. “Today’s sentence sends a message to fraudsters that our Office will prosecute you to the full extent of the law.” FBI Assistant Director James C. Barnacle, Jr., said: “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.”
From June 2017 through December 2018, many victims received interest payments or rolled over their principal into new loans; however, these payments came from newly obtained investments rather than actual loan interest payments from borrowers. Of more than $97 million raised through this scheme, only about $14 million was paid back before it collapsed—leaving losses exceeding $83 million.
Burton pleaded guilty in July 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach and victim assistance efforts according to its official website. The office maintains locations in Brooklyn and Central Islip according to its website and handles federal crime prosecutions along with civil matters representation for its district as noted online. Breon Peace leads this office as United States Attorney per official records, which covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County according to its site. It operates as the designated federal prosecutor's office for these areas according to official information.
