A 76-year-old Belgian man has fallen victim to a heartbreaking romance scam after traveling more than 760 kilometers to meet a woman he believed would become his wife—only to discover it was all a lie.
According to BBC, the man, identified only as Michel, believed he had been in a relationship with Sophie Vouzelaud, a former Miss Limousin and runner-up in the 2007 Miss France pageant. The two had been communicating for several weeks via WhatsApp, during which Michel sent approximately €30,000 ($35,000), convinced he was supporting his future bride.
Ten days ago, Michel made the long journey from Belgium to Saint-Julien, a town roughly 420 kilometers south of Paris, to meet the woman he thought he was about to marry. But instead of Sophie, he was greeted by her husband, Fabien.
“I am an imbecile,” Michel reportedly told the couple before returning to Belgium.
When Michel arrived, he introduced himself to Fabien as “Sophie’s future husband.” Fabien calmly replied: “Well, I’m the current one.”
Shocked and embarrassed, Michel explained that he had been in contact with someone claiming to be Sophie Vouzelaud and that he had paid large sums of money believing in the promise of love and marriage.
The story came to light after Fabien Vouzelaud shared it publicly, hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of online romance fraud, especially among older adults.
Romance scams involve fraudsters who manipulate victims into believing they’re in a real romantic relationship—often via text, email, or social media—before tricking them into sending money. These crimes are emotionally devastating and financially ruinous, and they’re increasingly common across Europe and beyond.
Sophie and Fabien say they urged Michel to file a complaint with the police. It remains unclear whether he has taken legal action.
The incident highlights the emotional vulnerability of individuals who have experienced loss – Michel was widowed four years ago – and underscores how easily hope and loneliness can be exploited in the digital age.