Fraudsters steal French first lady Brigitte Macron’s identity

French first lady Brigitte Macron is suing fraudsters who tried to steal her identity and used it to get into VIP functions around the world.

The 64-year-old wife of President Emmanuel Macron, 40, was said to be ‘hugely upset’ by the scandal, which was aimed at ‘severely damaging her reputation’.

An Elysee Palace source said the fake email address cabinet@presidence.fr – which references the Presidential Office – was created and used extensively.

French first lady Brigitte Macron (pictured with her husband President Emmanuel Macron) is suing fraudsters who tried to steal her identity and used it to get into VIP functions

It was used to send messages to the organisers of motor racing Grand Prixs, to five-star restaurants and hotels, and to other establishments requesting ‘special favours for Ms Macron and her family’.

The email was sent to inboxes as far away as Australia, and also to the former French protectorate of Morocco, and to event organisers and Pas in France itself.

Requests included a suggestion that Ms Macron should get free tickets for last month’s Melbourne Grand Prix, with limousines picking relatives up at the airport.

It was not known whether any arrangements were made on the back of the emails before the scam was uncovered.

The 64-year-old  was said to be 'hugely upset' by the scandal, which was aimed at 'severely damaging her reputation'

The 64-year-old was said to be ‘hugely upset’ by the scandal, which was aimed at ‘severely damaging her reputation’

Carla Bruni (left), the former supermodel who was the third wife of Nicolas Sarkozy (right), was often likened to Queen Marie Antoinette because of her high spending during her hubsand's time as head of state

Carla Bruni (left), the former supermodel who was the third wife of Nicolas Sarkozy (right), was often likened to Queen Marie Antoinette because of her high spending during her hubsand’s time as head of state

The first lady has always insisted that she never used her official position in her personal life, and was devoted to the highest standards in public life.

The Macrons published a ‘transparency charter’ highlighting the first lady’s exact role and status, and how much money her office spends.

It follows previous scandals, when incumbents were accused of living luxurious lifestyles on the public expense.

Carla Bruni, the former supermodel who was the third wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, was often likened to Queen Marie Antoinette because of her high spending during her hubsand’s time as head of state.

Jacques Chirac (pictured left with former U.S. President George W Bush in 2004) was the last President to be tried and convicted in a court of law on corruption charges

Jacques Chirac (pictured left with former U.S. President George W Bush in 2004) was the last President to be tried and convicted in a court of law on corruption charges

Mr Chirac (pictured right with President Bush in 2004) got a two year suspended sentence in 2011 over a fake jobs scandal relating to his time as Paris mayor

Mr Chirac (pictured right with President Bush in 2004) got a two year suspended sentence in 2011 over a fake jobs scandal relating to his time as Paris mayor

Within days of Mr Sarkozy leaving office in 2012, the couple’s Paris home was raided by fraud squad officers, and Mr Sarkozy is awaiting trial in at least two corruption scandals.

Jacques Chirac, Mr Sarkozy’s conservative predecessor, was the last President to be tried and convicted in a court of law on corruption charges.

Mr Chirac got a two year suspended sentence in 2011 over a fake jobs scandal relating to his time as Paris mayor.

The Macrons took huge efforts to move away from such a sleazy image, with President Macron saying he wanted to clean up French public life.

Efforts were being made to find out who sent the emails in Mrs Macron’s name – a task which could prove extremely difficult, investigators feared. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk