Frederic Bourdin French impostor scammer Date of Birth: 13.06.1974 Country: France

1. Early Life and Beginnings as an Imposter
2. The Nicholas Barclay Case
3. Subsequent Impersonations
4. Impersonating a Spanish Orphan
5. Psychological Motivations
6. Family Life and Transformation
7. Cinematic Legacy

Early Life and Beginnings as an Imposter

Frédéric Bourdin, born on June 13, 1974, became known as the "Chameleon" due to his ability to impersonate numerous individuals. Raised by his grandparents in Nantes after his mother claimed his father was a married Algerian immigrant, Bourdin ran away to Paris as a teenager.

The Nicholas Barclay Case

In 1997, 23-year-old Bourdin claimed to be Nicholas Barclay, a 13-year-old who vanished in 1994. Despite having brown eyes and a French accent, he convinced the Barclay family that he was their missing son who had escaped child prostitution. However, private detectives and the FBI eventually uncovered his deception, leading to his conviction in 1998.

Subsequent Impersonations

Upon returning to France in 2003, Bourdin impersonated Léo Balley, a missing 14-year-old French boy, again using DNA testing to expose his lies. In August 2004, he claimed to be Ruben Sanchez Espinoza, a Spanish boy whose mother died in the Madrid bombings, but was deported after the truth was revealed.

Impersonating a Spanish Orphan

In June 2005, Bourdin posed as Francisco Hernandes-Fernandez, a 15-year-old Spanish orphan, spending a month at a boarding school in Pau, France. His deception was once again uncovered when a teacher recognized him from a television program about his past impersonations.

Psychological Motivations

In interviews, Bourdin has expressed a desire for love, affection, and attention, which he felt deprived of during his childhood. He often impersonated orphans, seeking to evoke sympathy and acceptance.

Family Life and Transformation

In 2007, Bourdin married a French woman named Isabelle and has had three children with her. According to "The Daily Mirror," he has declared that he no longer feels the need to impersonate anyone. After the birth of his first child in 2008, Bourdin shared his story with "The New Yorker" reporter David Grann, stating that he was finally "being who I am."

Cinematic Legacy

Bourdin's Nicholas Barclay case inspired the 2010 French film "The Chameleon" and the 2012 documentary "The Imposter." The films shed light on his complex psychology and the impact of his actions on those he deceived.