[Straits Times] A PARIS man who registered 55 children by 55 different mothers faces up to 10 years in jail and fines for suspected paternity fraud and for helping to obtain residency under false pretences, police said on Friday.
The 54 year-old of African origin, who authorities did not identify, was arrested in his two-room flat in Paris during a police raid which yielded documents showing more than 50 people were registered as living at that address.
Police suspect the man was involved in a social benefits scam which could have been costing the state over 1 million euros (S$1.7 million) annually in claims by the mothers. 'At the moment 42 women have been identified and each claim that the man is the biological father of their child,' Paris police said in a statement.
| That's easy enough to check. Bill the putative father for the DNA paternity tests. Actually, do it German-style, withdrawing the billed amount directly from his bank account. |
Authorities said the man claimed he met the women at bars, night spots and occasionally during visits to their home countries, including Senegal, Cameroon and Mali.
For a fee of 150 to 200 euros, he registered the children and their mothers with French authorities, enabling them to obtain residency permits and claim social benefits. Some of the mothers told authorities they had received up to about 7,500 euros on various monthly allowances.
| That one's easy, too. Impound the women's bank accounts and send them and their children back where they came from. Any balance remaining after falsely obtained funds are refunded to the state can be sent to the forwarding address each woman provides upon exit. |
'Investigations are on-going and an investigating magistrate will decide whether DNA tests have to be administered to determine the children's paternity,' a police spokesman said.
| Yes, they do have to be. If he is the father, he should pay to support his offspring. If he is not, he should be charged with obtaining funds under false pretenses. |
| And if the latter, don't forget to send the mudders and tykes back from where they came ... |
| Oh, right. Sorry about that. |
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