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Medi Abalimba, 35, became known as 'The Football Fraudster' after targeting high-profile victims while posing as a Premier League player.(Image: Derbyshire Police / SWNS)
A former footballer who once trialled for Liverpool FC has been jailed following an international manhunt.
Medi Abalimba became known as 'The Football Fraudster' after targeting high-profile victims, including the ex-wife of Thierry Henry, while posing as a Premier League player.
The 35-year-old tricked women out of thousands so he could fund a champagne lifestyle of luxury hotels, helicopter trips and travelling the globe.
He became a worldwide name last year after a Netflix documentary came out in which the Arsenal striker’s former wife Claire Merry and ITV reality show star Georgia Steel revealed how they had been duped.
Abalimba, previously from Derby, was convicted of a string of fraud offences and was jailed for four years and two months following his most recent conviction in early 2023.
He was detained by UK police the following day and recalled to prison where he will now remain until October 2026.
Former professional footballer Medi Abalimba enjoying a helicopter ride
PC Baker said: “Given his extensive offending there was a real concern that, armed with a new name, he could begin targeting new victims.
Abalimba was first convicted for fraud related offences in 2013, which saw him serve six months in prison for his crimes.
He had started a relationship with Claire Merry, the ex-wife of Thierry Henry, when he was arrested again in 2019.
He was then jailed again in 2021 for 15 counts of fraud after he plundered the bank accounts of model Chloe Henry, claiming to be a US Navy Seal in a £160,000 scam.At the time the Netflix documentary 'The Footballer Fraudster' first aired in July last year, his whereabouts had remained unknown.
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