Woman Who Falsely Claimed to Be Madeleine McCann Found Guilty of Harassment
A 24-year-old Polish woman who publicly insisted she was Madeleine McCann has been found guilty of harassing the missing toddler's parents. Julia Wandelt was convicted on Friday, 7th November 2025, following a case heard at a UK court. However, the court cleared her of the more serious charge of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.
The False Identity and Online Campaign
Wandelt, who was born three years after Madeleine McCann vanished in Portugal, built a significant online following by promoting her fabricated story. She claimed to suspect she had been abducted and raised by a couple who were not her biological parents. On her Instagram account, 'iammadeleinemccan', she amassed half a million followers over a three-year period, also spreading her assertions on TikTok.
Her claims included having a blemish in her iris similar to one Madeleine was known to have, and she said she bore a resemblance to aged-progressed images of the missing girl. The situation escalated when she travelled to Los Angeles and told a live US television chat show audience, "I believe I am Madeleine McCann."
Mental Health and Police Intervention
The court heard that Wandelt was experiencing mental health issues at the time of her actions. It was revealed she had been abused by an elderly relative. During her own online research into missing children, she had stumbled upon an artist's impression of a former suspect in the McCann case, which she said resembled this relative.
Despite being formally told by police that she was not Madeleine McCann and being issued with a direct order not to approach the family, Wandelt ignored the official warning. This continued pursuit of the McCanns led directly to the harassment conviction.
This case highlights the profound impact that online misinformation and the targeting of grieving families can have, underscoring the need for responsible social media use and the protection of victims' families.
