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Belgian man discovers romance scam after long journey

A Belgian man traveled 760km only to find he was deceived by online scammers.

July 18, 2025 at 04:11 PM

Romance scam victim travels 700km 'to marry French beauty queen'

A Belgian man faced disappointment after a long journey to meet a woman he believed was his fiancée.

Belgian man travels 700km to meet French beauty queen and finds fraud

A Belgian man traveled 760km to meet Sophie Vouzelaud, a French beauty queen, only to discover he was a victim of online romance fraud. Michel, 76, had spent €30,000 thinking he was in a relationship with Ms Vouzelaud, who was the first runner-up in Miss France 2007. Upon arrival on July 9, he was confronted by Vouzelaud's husband, who explained the situation. Fabien, Ms Vouzelaud's husband, recorded their interaction, during which Michel expressed regret for being deceived. The couple encouraged him to report the fraud to the police, but there is no information on whether he has done so.

Key Takeaways

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A Belgian man traveled 760km believing he would marry a French beauty queen.

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He lost €30,000 to scammers posing as the beauty queen.

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Romance scams target emotionally vulnerable individuals, often the elderly.

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The incident underscores the need for public awareness of online fraud.

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Victims often face humiliation and regret upon realizing the truth.

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Scammers manipulate feelings and trust to commit financial crimes.

"I am an imbecile."

Michel expressed regret after discovering he had been scammed, showing the emotional toll of such fraud.

"I am the future husband of Sophie Vouzelaud."

Michel claimed to be Vouzelaud's future husband, highlighting his belief in the scam.

"Well, I'm the current one."

Fabien Vouzelaud responded to Michel, emphasizing the shocking reality of the situation.

"They urged him to go to the police to file a complaint."

The couple's response highlights the importance of taking action against fraud.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of romance scams, especially within online platforms. Scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities, convincing victims they are in love. The emotional toll can be devastating, especially for older individuals like Michel. Authorities need to raise awareness about such scams and provide better protections for potential victims. As online interaction increases, so too does the responsibility to educate users about the risks involved in digital relationships.