A prominent French actor and filmmaker has become the central figure in a major fraud case set to begin in Nice, following allegations that a con artist posing as an international businessman swindled him out of nearly seven million euros.
The defendant, Thierry Fialek-Birles, is accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme involving luxury vessels, fictitious investment opportunities, and a fabricated identity. Prosecutors claim he presented himself as a well-connected maritime lawyer from a distinguished family to gain the trust of the entertainment figure.
According to court filings, the accused met the actor in Monaco and was hired to manage the renovation and upkeep of a multi-million euro yacht. The actor subsequently transferred significant funds to a company the defendant controlled.
The plot allegedly deepened when the suspect persuaded the filmmaker to invest a further large sum in a non-existent financial scheme with a European central bank, promising substantial tax-free returns. Suspicion arose only after an anonymous tip alerted the victim to potential irregularities.
When the actor demanded his money back, the defendant reportedly claimed the company had been sold and then vanished. A subsequent private investigation revealed a trail of shell companies, multiple passports, and addresses spanning several countries.
Following an international search, the suspect was apprehended in Panama earlier this year and extradited to France. His pre-trial bail application was recently denied after a hearing where he expressed a desire to repay the funds.
The trial will proceed on charges including aggravated fraud, money laundering, and forgery. It remains unclear if the film star will be present in court for the proceedings.
