The Imposter 2012

Discovery in a Spanish phone box

Bourdin phones the police in Spain, claiming he has found a young boy. The police take the boy to a children’s home and treat Bourdin as a potential witness or guardian. He asks to be left in an office overnight so he can call his family.

In the children's home, a claimed American identity

While in the home, Bourdin insists he is American and continues to seek confirmation of his supposed identity. He uses office records to contact US sheriff offices about missing children. The threads he pulls begin to point toward a named individual: Nicholas Barclay.

A lead points to Nicholas Barclay

Through one lead, Bourdin learns the name Nicholas Barclay and uses this information to bolster his impersonation. He keeps phoning US agencies, fabricating ties and circumstances around Barclay. The ruse gradually builds a believable backstory.

Impersonation expands to official channels

Adopting a more official tone, Bourdin pretends to be a Spanish official and requests that information about Nicholas Barclay be faxed to him. The deception helps him gather more details and documents to support the impersonation. His plan grows more elaborate as he falsifies contacts.

Family told of a possible match; sister travels

The Barclay family is told there might be a match, and the sister travels from the United States to Spain to bring him home. Bourdin's resemblance and the family's hopes drive the decision. The search for missing Nicholas becomes a real possibility.

Court decision declares him Nicholas

A court in Spain rules that Bourdin is Nicholas Barclay and grants him US citizenship. The ruling gives the impostor apparent legitimacy and clears a path for his return to the US. The news is met with mixed emotions by the family.

Return to Texas: the homecoming

The sister accompanies Bourdin back to San Antonio, Texas, and the family largely accepts him as their missing relative. The mother in particular is eager to welcome him and believes the reunion is real. The homecoming seems to confirm the new identity to many observers.

Impersonation appears convincing for a time

For a time, Bourdin's impersonation seems convincing enough to fool officials and family members alike. He has managed to hide crucial discrepancies—such as his age, accent, and hair—behind careful grooming and charm. The deception relies on the belief that truth is what the family wants to see.

Suspicion grows; investigators take note

A private investigator, Charlie Parker, and FBI agent Nancy Fisher begin to question Bourdin's story and examine inconsistencies. They notice discrepancies and begin gathering evidence that challenges the Nicholas Barclay narrative. The investigation shifts from a rescue to a serious impersonation inquiry.

Arrest and international confirmation

Bourdin is arrested and Interpol confirms his identity as Bourdin, a 23-year-old with a long criminal history. The revelation shatters the family's conviction and exposes the scope of the deception. Authorities realize the scale of the fraud and begin to reassess the entire incident.

Custody confession about the family's crime

In custody, Bourdin claims that the real Nicholas Barclay was killed by the family to cover up the crime. This confession reframes the case as a crime cover-up rather than a simple impersonation. The statement forces investigators to re-examine the family's involvement and motives.

Jason as the scapegoat

The investigation centers on Bourdin's brother Jason as the main suspect, though Jason is already dead and cannot defend himself. He is presented as a convenient scapegoat to explain the crime and the subsequent deception. The truth remains contested as authorities weigh competing theories.

Impersonation history comes to light

The case reveals Bourdin's long history of impersonating children, which helps explain how he could convincingly assume Nicholas Barclay's identity. This background underscores the depth of the deception. It also highlights how past patterns can enable present fraud.