A Chiswick teen has been exposed as one of the county's biggest internet conmen.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, earned hundreds of thousands after posing as the head of multinational companies selling stationery, office supplies and vaccum cleaners.

The fraudster, who lived a life of luxury supping on vintage champagne and traveling only by chauffeur-driven limousine started his criminal life aged just 13 after his mum died of cancer.

He also spent his cash on escorts, horse-riding lessons and drinking in some of the capital's most exclusive clubs.

Balham Youth Court heard this week how the boy, now aged 16, spent some of his £16,000 inheritance on crime books to teach himself the tricks of successful conmen.

The boy, who hired his own personal bodyguard and flew abroad on "business trips", lived with his gran in Chiswick before moving to a succession of different offices.

The lad admitted 16 charges of fraud, totaling more than £50,000 and asked for a further 105 charges, worth more than £135,000 to be taken into consideration. He was warned he could face a jail sentence when he returns to court later this month.