A Polish woman’s viral campaign claiming to be missing child Madeleine McCann ended with a criminal conviction for harassment, revealing the devastating impact false claims can have on families already shattered by tragedy.
Story Highlights
- Julia Wandelt claimed on social media to be Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007
- Wandelt escalated from online posts to showing up at the McCann family home demanding DNA tests
- DNA testing conclusively proved she was not Madeleine McCann
- Court sentenced Wandelt to six months in prison and issued indefinite restraining order
- Case sets legal precedent for handling impostor harassment campaigns
When Social Media Claims Cross Into Criminal Territory
Julia Wandelt’s transformation from unknown Polish woman to global sensation began in 2023 with social media posts comparing her physical features to those of missing British child Madeleine McCann. What started as online speculation quickly spiraled into a persistent harassment campaign that would ultimately land her in a British courtroom facing criminal charges.
The McCann family had already endured sixteen years of public scrutiny, media speculation, and periodic impostor claims since three-year-old Madeleine vanished from a Portuguese resort in 2007. Wandelt’s campaign proved different in its viral reach and relentless escalation, forcing parents Gerry and Kate McCann to seek legal protection from unwanted attention they thought they had learned to manage.
From Online Posts to Doorstep Confrontations
Wandelt’s claims gained traction through social media supporters, most notably Karen Spragg, who amplified the Polish woman’s assertions across various platforms. The campaign featured side-by-side photo comparisons, alleged memory fragments, and increasingly bold declarations that Wandelt was the missing child. What concerned authorities was how quickly online speculation translated into real-world harassment.
The situation escalated dramatically when Wandelt traveled to England twice in 2024, appearing uninvited at the McCann family home in Leicestershire. During her December visit, she confronted the family directly, demanding they submit to DNA testing to prove her claims. This face-to-face encounter with their daughter’s alleged impostor represented a new level of invasion for parents who had spent nearly two decades hoping for their child’s return.
DNA Evidence Destroys False Claims
Law enforcement officials initially hesitated to pursue DNA testing, fearing it would set a precedent encouraging other impostors to make similar demands on grieving families. However, Wandelt’s persistent harassment and the viral nature of her claims forced their hand. When police arrested her at Bristol Airport in February 2025, they collected DNA samples that would definitively end her charade.
The test results conclusively proved what investigators suspected from the beginning: Julia Wandelt was not Madeleine McCann. This scientific evidence became the foundation for criminal charges, transforming what some viewed as misguided hope into clear-cut harassment. The DNA testing also revealed the broader challenge law enforcement faces in an era where viral misinformation can quickly escalate into criminal behavior.
Justice Delivers Mixed Verdict on Harassment Campaign
Leicester Crown Court found Wandelt guilty of harassment but acquitted her of the more serious stalking charges in November 2025. Justice Johannah Cutts acknowledged Wandelt’s difficult childhood while condemning her actions against a family that had already suffered immeasurable loss. The six-month prison sentence reflected the court’s view that social media fame does not justify tormenting victims of tragedy.
Karen Spragg, who supported Wandelt’s claims, escaped criminal conviction but received a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the McCann family. The court’s decision to impose restrictions on both women sends a clear message about the legal boundaries surrounding high-profile missing persons cases. Wandelt now faces possible deportation, with authorities confiscating and destroying her phones to prevent further harassment attempts.
