Fake Irish Aristocrat Conned French Film Star Out of Millions, Fraud Trial Will Hear

One of France's most popular actors will have a starring role in court next month when a fake Irish aristocrat goes on trial accused of cheating him out of millions of euros.

- Kim Willsher

Dany Boon, the director and star of Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (Welcome to the Sticks), the country's biggest France-made box office hit, says an alleged conman who claimed to be an Oxford-educated maritime lawyer stole nearly €7m (£6m) from him as part of an elaborate scam.

The court in Nice will seek to unpick a bizarre and convoluted story that could have come straight out of one of Boon's films, featuring luxury yachts, tax havens, multiple aliases, royal connections and an international manhunt.

The man Boon claims he knew as Terry Birles - whose real name is Thierry Fialek-Birles - reportedly appeared completely at home when he dined at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in November 2021. Fellow sailing enthusiasts told the Irish Independent the smooth-talking and smartly dressed man in his 30s came across as cultured, classy and wealthy.