Briton Charged with Fraud for Staging Mock Wedding at Disneyland Paris

A British national, Jacky Jhaj, aged 39, has been charged with multiple fraud and money laundering offenses in France after allegedly orchestrating a mock wedding ceremony with a nine-year-old girl at Disneyland Paris. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the exploitation of minors and the integrity of event management practices at one of the world's most popular theme parks.

According to a statement from Jean-Baptiste Bladier, the French state prosecutor in Meaux, Jhaj was arrested this past weekend after Disneyland staff alerted authorities upon realizing that the 'bride' was a child. The mock wedding, which reportedly featured an orchestra, a large cake, and a backdrop of the iconic Disney castle, was scheduled to take place outside regular park hours, costing an estimated €130,000 (approximately £111,000).

Jhaj, a convicted sex offender in the UK, was found guilty in 2016 of engaging in sexual activity with two 15-year-old girls. The British Metropolitan Police confirmed that he was also wanted for breaching a sexual harm prevention order and failing to adhere to sex offender registration requirements. In light of his criminal history, French authorities have classified him as an 'assisted witness' in their ongoing investigation, which includes the suspected corruption of a minor.

The investigation has revealed that Jhaj allegedly utilized false identification to secure the contract for the event, impersonating a Latvian national. Furthermore, he reportedly recruited over 100 paid extras, who were misled into believing they were attending a legitimate wedding. This deceptive practice has prompted an official complaint from Disneyland Paris, which is now cooperating with French authorities in the investigation.

The nine-year-old child involved, who is of Ukrainian descent, had only arrived in France two days prior to the event. Authorities have stated that she was not subjected to any form of violence or coercion and was not aware of the supposed nature of the ceremony. The prosecutor's office has indicated that further inquiries are being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of the child and the roles played by the Latvian accomplice.

This incident highlights the pressing issue of child exploitation and the potential vulnerabilities within event planning and management sectors. Experts within child protection advocacy have emphasized the need for stringent regulations and oversight to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Dr. Emily Watson, a child protection specialist at the University of London, remarked that this case underscores the necessity for heightened vigilance in ensuring the safety and well-being of minors involved in public events.

As investigations continue, the implications of this case extend beyond legal repercussions for the individuals involved. It raises critical discussions about the ethical responsibilities of event organizers and the measures needed to safeguard the welfare of children in various public and private engagements. The outcome of this case could lead to reform in operational protocols for large event venues to enhance child safety and ensure that similar fraudulent activities are effectively deterred in the future.