French Authorities Investigate Alleged Fake Wedding Involving Minor at Disneyland Paris

 PARIS, June 24 — French police are questioning two individuals following a controversial private event at Disneyland Paris, which staff believed resembled a wedding ceremony involving a nine-year-old Ukrainian girl. The incident has prompted an investigation into suspected fraud and money laundering.

According to the Meaux prosecutor’s office, the event, which took place in a privately booked section of the park, featured elaborate staging, approximately 100 extras, and a child dressed in bridal attire. While the gathering appeared to simulate a wedding, authorities later determined it was not an actual legal ceremony.

“It was not a wedding, but a staged event filmed with around a hundred extras. They privatized Disneyland Paris, presenting it as a genuine wedding,” a magistrate told AFP.

Four people were initially detained by police. As of Sunday, two remain in custody: a 22-year-old British man believed to have posed as the groom and orchestrated the event, and a 24-year-old Latvian woman. Both are under investigation for alleged fraud and money laundering. The child's 41-year-old Ukrainian mother and a 55-year-old Latvian man were released following questioning.

A medical examination of the minor confirmed there were no signs of abuse or coercion. “The event turned out to be staged, with the attendees hired as extras,” the prosecutor’s office confirmed in an official statement.

Eyewitness accounts provided further insight. One extra told France Inter radio, “I saw the panic among Disney staff. Then, through the window, I saw a small child in a wedding dress being carried by a woman. That’s when I realized the child was very young,” according to a report by The Guardian.

Disneyland Paris issued a statement confirming the event was immediately cancelled upon discovery of irregularities. “A private event booked at our destination was cancelled by staff after irregularities were identified. Police were contacted and responded promptly,” a spokesperson said. The theme park has filed a legal complaint and is cooperating fully with authorities.

The motive behind the staged ceremony remains unclear, as does the precise role of the child. French investigators are continuing to gather evidence while public scrutiny intensifies over how such an event was allowed to take place in one of the world’s most visited entertainment venues.