Remember the Story About the German ‘Forest Boy’? Turns Out It Was a Hoax
- Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:38am by
Liz Klimas
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"Ray," now identified as "Robin" turned up last September in Berlin after claiming he knew little of his identity and had been living in the woods for five years. (Photo: Berline Police)
BERLIN (The Blaze/AP) — Almost a year ago now, a mystery teenager turned up in Berlin telling authorities all his family were dead, his name was Ray and, other than that, he had no clues as to his identity. Just this week, the German police issued a photo of Ray and the mystery was quickly solved.
It was a hoax.
Berlin police say an English-speaking teenage boy who wandered into the city nine months ago saying that he had been living in the forest for the last five years has been spinning a tale.
After publishing his picture earlier this week, police said Friday a former girlfriend identified him as a 20-year-old from the Netherlands who was reported missing last September.
When confronted with the details, police say the boy confirmed the story.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity because she wasn’t authorized to release personal details, said the boy’s real name is “Robin” but wouldn’t give his last name.
The 20-year-old man, according to CNN, was recognized by a female acquaintance after his picture was released Wednesday. Watch CNN’s report from earlier this week when the photo was released in the “bizarre” story:
Prior to this revelation, “Ray” had only provided few details of his life, saying he was born in 1994 and his mother, Doreen, died in a car accident 12 years ago. He says his father Ryan died last August and he buried him in the woods where they’d been living, then wandered into Berlin and turned up at city hall.
It wasn’t immediately clear what will happen now, but police say they are checking into whether he could be charged with fraud.
“It’s no longer a joke,” police spokesman Michael Maass told “Die Welt,” according to Spiegel Online. If the story was in fact falsified, Maass said, “then he deliberately took us for fools, and he could be liable for the costs.”
The Daily Telegraph reports the boy’s stepmother was located — still not revealing the family’s last name — and authorities said she was able to identify him “100 percent.“ It also reports those who knew him saying he had ”personal problems“ and his stepmother noted when he left he was 19 and could ”do what he wanted.”
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ChiefGeorge
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:36pmSo his plan was to become a pretend lost child who then would cause the state to take care of him. Sounds like we are breeding infantilism in Netherlands. Sad!
Report Post »hotteamakers
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 3:53pmDon‘t Say It Isn’t True, Please.
Oh no. The trees and bushes in the woods protected him and nurtured him as he grew up. We have thousands of tree hugging Tree Whispers her in New Jersey There is a big story in NJ newspapers about these Tree Whisperers. The hug and whisper to the trees to nurture them and overcome their solitude. The trees, bushes, and weeds do take care of lost children it must be true.
Report Post »geomann
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 1:42pmIt is kind of funny, actually. Why would he go all the way to Berlin to tell this elaborate story to city hall? It must have been difficult to pull it off with a straight face. Maybe he is drumming up publicity in an attempt to become an actor? He should get himself to Hollywood before they punish him.
Report Post »Bill64
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:40amWhat is this nonsense about withholding his name. It is on the front page of the Dutch newspapers: Robin van Heslum from Hengelo.
Report Post »Cymry
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:42amThis troubled young man’s story has a parallel in the person currently usurping the oval office.
if barry’s real dad is frank marshall davis, then barry gets kicked out of office.
if barry’s real dad is barack obama sr., then barry gets kicked out of office.
The above scenarios are known in common parlance as a “lose-lose” situation.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:40am“…he deliberately took us for fools…”
Obviously, no “taking” needed.
The majority of people are complete idiots – there’s little doubt left in my mind.
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:33amI say take him back deep into the woods and drop him off with nothing but the clothes he is wearing.
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:18amLived out in the woods, kinda high cheekbones, I just assumed he was an indian!
Report Post »klevalt
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:44amLove starting my day off with a chuckle! Thanks!!!
Report Post »Cymry
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 9:51amactually the high check bones in germanic people is a genetic contribution from the hun invasions who are related to the native americans (land bridge during the last ice age), so your observation isn’t so far off the mark. ;)
Report Post »DittPats
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 10:34pmI actually chuckled out loud to myself! Good one.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 8:51amHe took them for fools… and it turns out: They Were!
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