Fake ‘Rothschild’ who lived the high-life in China exposed

When the president of China’s top university and some of the country’s leading businessmen were introduced to a renowned entrepreneur with a “charming British accent”, they were understandably impressed.

On learning he was a member of the Rothschild family, they became even more excited and immediately sought to exploit any potential link to the international banking dynasty.

Unfortunately after loudly boasting of their association they discovered that he was not a member of the world famous Frankfurt Rothschilds, but of the rather less illustrious Finchley branch of the family.

The 64-year-old businessman from North London enjoyed lavish hospitality at the expense of Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University and also featured in publicity material for the multi-billion pound Reignwood Group, which owns the Wentworth Golf Course.

He was used to promote Reignwood’s executive helicopter service in Beijing and even appeared at a press conference at wish he was asked what Chinese business could learn from his family’s long history.

The university described Mr Rothschild as “a core member of the prominent Rothschild family, a global financial investor, an entrepreneurial strategist and a philanthropist”.

He shared with Tsinghua chief, Qiu Yong “his views on education”, according to publicity material released by the university, which includes Chinese president Xi Jinping among its alumni.

Reignwood used publicity pictures of him grinning widely in a fur coat and Russian-style winter hat being handed a toy helicopter.

Mr Rothschild was also said to have been the star attraction at a ‘business breakfast’ held in the southern city of Shenzhen.

The event was loosely based on charity auction dining events organised by Warren Buffett, in which businessmen pay to have the opportunity to seek advice from the US business magnate.

But there were red faces in the Chinese capital when they discovered he was not quite who they thought he was.

The UK branch of the Rothschild Group told The Telegraph that Mr Rothschild is not a family member or involved with any of their business interests.

A spokesman for the family said: “Oliver Rothschild is not a descendant, through the male line, of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) of Frankfurt and is therefore not member of the Rothschild banking family.

“Oliver Rothschild is not involved in any way with any of the businesses of the Rothschild & Co group.”

There were also questions raised last night in Britain after several of the organisations he claimed to be associated with said they had never heard of him.

On his LinkedIn page, Mr Rothschild boasted of being the past president of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations Solutions (ACEVO).

But a spokesman said no such post existed and his only association with the organisation had been a “fleeting one” around six years ago.

A source at the organisation said: “He wasn’t around long and he didn’t really deliver what he promised. He certainly shouldn’t be claiming any link with us now.”

On his CV, Mr Rothschild also claimed to be senior entrepreneur fellow of the University of Essex but a spokesman said they had not heard of him.

The spokesman said: “He does not have any association with the university.”

He also claimed to be an ambassador of the London College of Fashion, but again a spokesman said they had never heard of him and the college did not have ambassadors.

Mr Rothschild, who is married, lives in a smart house in the Golders Green area of North London.

A young man who answered the door at the property said he was not there and it is thought he might be out of the country.

A spokesman for Tsinghua University said it would “strengthen background checks” in future, while its vice president Yang Bin said: “There was negligence in terms of screening (visitors).”