There are legends and movies about con artists who treat their criminal “profession” like an art form. Christopher Rocancourt, impostor and swindler, managed to get into the highest circles of the rich and famous and make a good living at their expense. In France, he introduced himself as Prince Golitsyn, in Hollywood - the son of actress Sophia Loren, nephew of designer Oscar de la Renta or producer Dino de Laurentiis, in the Hamptons - Rockefeller, heir to a multimillion-dollar fortune. He claimed Bill Clinton, Jean-Claude Van Damme and the Sultan of Brunei among his close friends. Dolph Lundgren's and Robert De Niro's private phone numbers could be found in his address book.
In Los Angeles, he socialized mostly with people from France, as he did not speak English well. Christopher noted with satisfaction that Californians were much more trusting than Parisians. Wine merchant Charles Glenn, he introduced himself as the strongest boxer in Europe, who came to America to fight for the title of absolute champion. For a small fee, Glenn introduced the “European celebrity” to the regulars of the restaurant “Maurice”, and then for a month drove the “champion” in the nightlife.
Rocancourt can not be called handsome, but he was well versed in female psychology. Wooing the ladies, Christopher did not skimp on compliments and treats. A special charm gave him a French accent. Next to such a gentleman any woman felt herself the only and unique. A goddess, in a word.
In the summer of 1992 Rokankur met with a young beauty Gray Park, introducing himself to her nephew of the famous producer Dino de Laurentiis. Christopher intrigued the girl, sending her a strange note: “I read the Bible. I love the Almighty.” Gray was charmed by the gallant Frenchman, with difficulty in English. In October 1992, they signed in Las Vegas, where, as Christopher claimed, he was to have a boxing fight with the American champion.
When the “first raptures of tender passion” subsided, Park suddenly realized that she knew almost nothing about her husband. Jokingly, she called the FBI and asked for a comprehensive background check on Christopher Rocancourt. A few minutes later, Agent Mark Irish informed her that this guy was wanted through Interpol by the Swiss police!
Rocancourt was arrested and extradited to Geneva. But it was not possible to prove that he took part in the robbery of the jewelry store, and Christopher was transferred to Paris. The French charged him with fraud. From prison, Christopher wrote touching letters to Gray Park. During his enforced absence, she gave birth to a daughter.
In mid-1995, Rocancourt was released and returned to California a few months later. With the charming Gray Park life paths adventurer separated. He married another beauty Pia Reis, once recognized as the girl of the month magazine “Playboy”. Their son Zeus was born.
With faded Hollywood star Mickey Rourke impostor met in a bar on Sunset Boulevard, posing as a successful producer. Christopher immediately charmed the “idol of his youth”. A little later, Mickey recommended him to his buddies as a guy who will help him return to the Olympus of fame. Rokankur in every way to support this illusion, promising to finance any picture with Rourke in the title role.
Rokankur moved into the spacious house of the actor. Soon he visited another Hollywood celebrity - Jean-Claude Van Damme with his girlfriend Darcy. Of course, and from the action hero Christopher was not going to lure money. Promising Van Damme 40 million dollars to shoot a new movie, he counted on the fact that the “universal soldier” will help him to penetrate the narrow circle of the rich and famous.
Rocancourt knew how to impress others. Broad gesture Frenchman paid for expensive dinners in luxury restaurants, in the hotel is not stingy on tips. He wore smart suits, watches “Rolex” and gave the impression of a successful man, confident in his abilities. In Los Angeles, Christopher drove around in a “hummer”, formerly owned by billionaire Dodi al-Fayed. On occasion, Rokankur would casually mention his acquaintance with the powerful, and then he would casually remark that his investments always yielded good returns.
There were plenty of people wanting to make “fast money”. Amanda Taylor met Rocancourt through old friends. In Hollywood, she wanted to buy a prop firm, and she urgently needed to contribute 4 million dollars. Rokankur told Amanda that he was ready to invest in her project, but in return he would like to receive 20 percent of the firm and 100 thousand dollars to settle minor formalities in obtaining a loan. Amanda accepted the terms, but the promised investment did not wait. After receiving the advance payment, Rocancourt disappeared and did not answer his phone calls.
Rocancourt disappeared without paying $60,000 in bills. In his hotel room, police found a photo of Michael Jackson with a gift inscription, an unregistered .38-caliber handgun, and false documents.
So, in late 1998, Rocancourt fled Los Angeles with his family. Where the con man was actually hiding remains a mystery, but a year later he showed up in New York. Rocancourt rented an apartment on White Street in lower Manhattan and began his favorite activity - attracting free money from the public. He promised new acquaintances to double or even triple their savings through clever investments. No one could resist the tempting offer. The businessman gave him 175 thousand dollars, the owner of the store - 40 thousand, the owner of the hotel - 20 thousand. The usual “tax” Rokankur was from 20 to 50 thousand dollars.
In Vancouver, Rocancourt met businessman Robert Baldock and his wife. The Canadians were indescribably delighted when the young man confided in them in confidence that he was a Formula One driver and competed under the name Michael van Hoven; he had recently signed a $28 million contract with the Ferrari team. “I can't keep up with Schumacher yet, but he's already scared of me,” he modestly remarked.
Subsequently, Robert Baldock traveled twice to Switzerland to Rokankur's father for the promised money. Naturally, he returned with nothing, and the young friend had meanwhile disappeared in an unknown direction. The businessman finally realized that he was the victim of a fraudster, and appealed to the police, estimating the damage from the scam in 200 thousand dollars. Beldock even had to reduce the staff of his firm to avoid bankruptcy. On April 26, 2001, Rocancourt was apprehended by Canadian police outside a hotel in Oak Bay, an aristocratic suburb of Victoria, ten miles from Vancouver.
In a Canadian prison, the con artist wrote an autobiographical book in which he openly mocked his victims. “I don't feel the least bit sorry for these people. They were ruined by greed,” he told reporters. The rights to screen the confession of a con artist acquired for a million dollars Hollywood producer Thomas Langmann.
