AN 82-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CONVINCED SHE IS IN LOVE IN IVORY COAST

Marie-José, 82, returned to France on June 9, 2025, after spending nine months in Ivory Coast with a man she met online. Her return comes as her son claims romance was a scam, while she insists she acted freely.

A journey in search of love

In September 2024, Marie-José, an 82-year-old widow living near Rouen, suddenly decides to leave France to join "Christ," a 28-year-old Ivorian man she believes to be the TV host Frédéric Lopez, whom she met on Facebook. The encounter quickly evolves into a virtual romance, then becomes a trip to Abidjan, which she arranges without informing her family.

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A return to France?

Nine months later, on June 9, 2025, Marie-José landed in France to regularize her expired visa, RTL reported . She stated her intention to return to Ivory Coast quickly: "I'm going to sort out my affairs (...) and I'll come back quickly. My life is here and not in France where, frankly, people are not very good."

Alarming expenses deplored by the family

According to her son Xavier, Marie-José spent approximately €100,000 in nine months, mainly on transfers, prepaid cards, and life insurance withdrawals. He denounces a hold on his mother, citing the worrying loss of her judgment.

Romance scam or free choice?

The son describes the situation as abuse of weakness and files a complaint for emotional fraud. For her part, Marie-José denies any manipulation: "I lived as I wanted, I was happy," she insists, while reaffirming her desire to return to Abidjan.

The role of Ivorian “grazers”

This phenomenon, known as "brouteurs," refers to scammers operating primarily in Ivory Coast who create fake profiles, seduce so-called vulnerable people, and extract money from them under the guise of a romance. This type of social media scam is growing rapidly.

Numerous news reports have highlighted similar cases, highlighting the significant sums of money lost and the vulnerability of the elderly. Associations and legal systems are beginning to raise awareness and support these victims.

Marie-José's return to France thus highlights a tragic tension between free will and emotional manipulation, in a context of widespread fraud. While her son denounces the abuse of weakness, she maintains that she made an informed choice. This case calls into question our ability to protect the elderly without hindering their autonomy.

2025-06-13T11:13:26Z