The Intriguing Life of a Phony Footballer Who Dated Thierry Henry’s Ex-Wife and Impersonated a Chelsea Star

The story of Medi Abalimba, a conman who posed as a Premier League footballer and swindled thousands of pounds from multiple victims, is a shocking tale of deceit and manipulation. It’s a cautionary reminder to be wary of those who seem too good to be true and to always be vigilant against fraudsters.

A fraudulent individual who impersonated a Premier League footballer successfully scammed £50,000 from Thierry Henry’s former spouse. Medi Abalimba’s football career ended in disappointment and prompted him to resort to illegal activities to maintain a lavish lifestyle. ITV’s true crime documentary series, Cons And Swindles, delves into the deceitful actions of Abalimba, who posed as former Chelsea player Gael Kakuta, accumulating substantial bills at luxury establishments and defrauding multiple individuals. Despite being incarcerated, he continued his deceptive behavior and enticed a vulnerable woman into aiding his schemes. After being released, he targeted ex-Love Island star Georgia Steel, leading to further fraudulent activities resulting in his re-arrest in 2021. Abalimba’s actions have caused significant harm to his victims, including Claire Merry, and the documentary aims to raise awareness about individuals like him. Despite expressing remorse for his actions, doubts remain about Abalimba’s potential for reform. The documentary, Cons And Swindles: The Football Fraudster, aired on ITVX.