'Towie' star Lewis Bloor in court accused of diamond scam

The Only Way Is Essex star Lewis Bloor has been accused of plotting to defraud investors in a £3 million coloured diamonds scam.

The 29-year-old reality television star - who is also a former Celebrity Big Brother housemate - appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court over the allegations on Thursday (August 22).

He is accused of marketing and selling the diamonds despite knowing that they were not a “legitimate investment opportunity”.

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Bloor, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, is accused alongside five other men.

The court heard that the amount of money lost in the alleged fraud was over £3 million, and that there were 50 victims.

It apparently took place between May 2013 and June 2014.

Bloor was joined at the brief hearing by co-defendants Joseph Jordan, 26, of Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, George Walters, 27, of Beckenham, Kent, Max Potter, 22, of Enfield, Middlesex, Nathan Wilson, 25, of Brentwood, Essex, and Simon Akbari, 25, of Loughton, Essex.

All six are facing a conspiracy to defraud charge.

No pleas were entered, and Bloor apparently spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality.

Another co-defendant, Danny Chappell, 52, of Bexleyheath, Kent, is accused of entering an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition of criminal property, namely by seeking money for completing renovation works by or on behalf of another person when no such works had been undertaken.

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The allegation against Chappell, who was also granted unconditional bail, is alleged to have taken place between May 27, 2014 and May 31, 2014.

The case was adjourned until September 19 at Southwark Crown Court.

Bloor appeared in The Only Way Is Essex for three years from 2013 to 2016, joining in series 10 and quitting during the 17th series.

In 2016 he was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother and was the fifth contestant to be given his marching orders.