Man Conned Greek Island & Wife He Was Man Utd Star Remi Moses

The man who conned an entire Greek island—and even his own wife—into believing he was Manchester United legend Remi Moses

A bizarre case of mistaken identity and elaborate deception unfolded on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where locals mourned the supposed passing of a football icon, only to later discover the truth was far stranger.

When news broke of the death of Remi Moses—the former Manchester United midfielder known as the club's first black goalscorer—dozens gathered at St Stathis church in Argassi to pay their respects. The body lay in an open coffin, dressed in a classic Manchester United shirt, a poignant tribute to the man many believed had retired to their quiet island.

Tributes flowed freely during the emotional service. Mourners shed tears, praised his achievements, and reflected on his unique place in Old Trafford history. As the congregation prepared to follow the coffin to the cemetery, his grieving widow, Jutta, personally thanked each attendee for making the farewell so meaningful. In return, islanders thanked her for bringing such a celebrated figure to live out his days among them. "He was truly one of the football greats," one said with a nod.

There was just one issue: Remi Moses wasn't dead. The real Moses, now in his 60s, was alive, well, and living quietly in Manchester.

The absence of any Manchester United representatives at the funeral raised eyebrows for some, but the service proceeded with full honors. Then, reports of the death reached the UK, sparking an outpouring of grief among older Red Devils fans who remembered his 199 appearances for the club in the 1980s.

Within days, however, doubts emerged. Supporters questioned inconsistencies in the Greek media reports, and soon Moses' family issued a clear statement: he was very much alive.

The Mail on Sunday has pieced together the extraordinary truth behind the saga—one of the oddest episodes linked to Manchester United's history.

A man named "Remi Moses" had indeed died in Zakynthos in late November (pronounced dead by local authorities on December 1). His widow, friends, neighbors, and even the local football community all believed he was the genuine former England international and United star. The funeral went ahead as planned, with no reason for anyone on the island to suspect otherwise. Even his wife buried him convinced she had been married to the real footballer.

In reality, the deceased was Kenneth Simms, a 61-year-old retired marketing executive originally from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Simms had convincingly impersonated Moses for years on the island.

He lived there for an extended period, fully embracing the role. He showed old footage of the actual Remi Moses playing, pointing at the screen and saying things like "Look at me back then" to reinforce the illusion. His German wife, Jutta Simms, also believed the deception and thought she was wed to the Manchester United icon.

When Simms died, Jutta informed his supposed former Greek football contacts and others of the passing of the "legendary" player. Greek media picked up the story, reporting the death of the 1980s great at age 65.

The hoax unraveled only when the news crossed to the UK and prompted scrutiny. The real Remi Moses' family swiftly clarified the facts, halting any further mourning in Manchester.

The full extent of how Simms pulled off such a sustained pretense—fooling an entire community, including his spouse—remains astonishing. It left Zakynthos residents stunned, grieving a fabricated football hero while the true story emerged as one of the most peculiar identity hoaxes in recent memory.