A Belgian man traveled an astonishing 760km (472 miles) to meet Sophie Vouzelaud, a French beauty queen he believed would become his wife. Instead, Michel, 76, arrived at her home only to encounter her husband, Fabien, and realize he had fallen victim to an online romance scam.
Upon arriving at the home of Vouzelaud, known for her role as the first runner-up in Miss France 2007, Michel disclosed to the couple that he had sent €30,000 ($35,000) to scammers, having spent weeks exchanging messages on WhatsApp with who he thought was the beauty queen. "I am an imbecile," he stated, lamenting his predicament as he prepared for the long journey back.
This unfortunate saga gained notoriety after Fabien shared a video of Michel's encounter online. On July 9, when Michel approached the couple’s residence in Saint-Julien, located 420km (270 miles) south of Paris, he confidently declared, “I am the future husband of Sophie Vouzelaud.” To this, Fabien quickly retorted, "Well, I'm the current one."
As the reality of the situation unfolded, Ms. Vouzelaud attempted to explain the scam to Michel. She and her husband urged the distressed man to report the incident to law enforcement, though it remains unclear whether he took that step.
Romance scams are a criminal scheme where individuals are deceived into sending money to a fraudster who pretends to be in a genuine relationship with them. These scams often target vulnerable individuals, including pensioners, who may be predisposed to loneliness.
Experts from Action Fraud suggest looking for red flags indicative of romance fraud, such as a partner who is secretive about their identity or who becomes defensive when asked personal questions. They advise individuals to approach requests for money with skepticism, especially from online acquaintances. Engaging friends and family in discussions about online relationships and conducting reverse image searches can also help in identifying potential scams.
Support for victims of romance fraud is critical, and family members are encouraged to reassure their loved ones that they are not at fault, while gaining a better understanding of the phenomenon.
