A retired marketing executive from Hertfordshire managed to convince an entire Greek island community and his own wife he was former Manchester United midfielder Remi Moses before his death last month.
Kenneth Simms, 61, had lived on Zakynthos, which has a population of over 40,000, for approximately a decade.
Locals believed they were neighbours with the eighties footballing icon who made 199 appearances for the Red Devils.
The deception was so thorough that when Simms passed away on December 1, mourners gathered at St Stathis church in Argassi to honour what they thought was a genuine footballing icon.
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His German wife Jutta, a social worker with no interest in the sport, had also been taken in by the elaborate ruse throughout their marriage.
The three-times married Simms exploited his fabricated identity to land a coaching role with Doxa Pigadakion's women's team for the 2020-21 season.
Club chairman Andreas Gouskos had declared at the time: "For Zakynthos football, it is a blessing from God that Mr Moses exists on the island."
Simms would display footage of the genuine Moses in action, telling onlookers "Look at me back then," club sources told The Mail on Sunday.
Locals believed they were neighbours with the eighties footballing icon
|GETTY
He gave interviews to local newspapers discussing promotion ambitions and player potential, all while wearing United training gear.
The impersonation extended to recounting specific matches, including the club's 1984 European tie against Barcelona where Moses famously marked Diego Maradona.
His stint ended after a foot injury, mirroring how the real Moses's career was curtailed by physical problems at just 28.
The deception began to collapse when Greek media outlets reported Moses's death, with the news quickly reaching England and triggering an outpouring of grief among United supporters.
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Mourners gathered at St Stathis church in Argassi to honour what they thought was a genuine icon
|GETTY
Within 24 hours, however, fans started questioning details in the reports, and the Moses family issued a statement confirming the former midfielder remained alive in Manchester.
Remi Moses Jr, 44, described the moment he learned of his father's supposed passing, saying: "When the news came out I was obviously in shock and I phoned my dad straight away. Luckily he answered within just a few rings - was I glad to hear his voice!"
The real Moses, now living in Middleton, had never set foot on Zakynthos and rarely travels beyond Manchester city centre, his son confirmed.
Despite the extraordinary deception, the Moses family harbours no ill will towards Simms.
Kenneth Simms had lived on Zakynthos, which has a population of over 40,000, for approximately a decade
|GETTY
Remi Jr said: "People are people and whatever this man has done Dad would have compassion for him. You have got to have compassion for the bloke, no matter what he has done."
He added the overwhelming response had been the tributes paid to his father, which proved "humbling after the initial shock".
Jutta Simms, who has since travelled to England, remains devastated by her husband's death and the subsequent revelations.
A friend explained she understood "Remi Moses" to be a professional name, similar to stage names used by performers like Lady Gaga or Madonna.
Remi Moses made over 150 appearances for United and won the FA Cup in 1983 and 1985
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The friend said: "There was no profiteering or scandal, there was nothing intentionally untoward."
Moses made over 150 appearances for United and won the FA Cup in 1983 and 1985 after joining from West Bromwich Albion in 1981.
Two months after his move to Old Trafford, he scored at home against Middlesbrough to make history as the club's first-ever black goalscorer.
It was one of nine goals he would get for the Red Devils as an injury cut short his career.
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