Not even Max Barrios dared so much: a false footballer who lived a life of luxury was arrested in Colombia

Bernio Jordan Enzo Verhagen posed as a Dutch footballer, which allowed him to enjoy many comforts typical of a footballer who plays in the First Division of various clubs in Europe. Everything was going well, but because he did not want to pay sex workers, they discovered his long list of scams in the Old Continent.

According to data from the ‘Vice’ website, Bernio, who was born in Suriname, was trained in the minor divisions of Willem II. His fake international sports career began 2019 with brief steps as a footballer for Moldova, South Africa, Audax Italiano from Chile and at Viborg FF from Denmark. In all the clubs he was paid as a footballer, but he never finished his contracts.

In December 2019, Bernio was arrested in Denmark, because he was denounced by an ex-partner in Chile for physical abuse, in addition to an alleged kidnapping. In Europe, Bernio lived a disorderly life and after learning that his documents and representation as a footballer were false, he was arrested.

The history of the South American did not end there. When he was transferred to prison, he was able to escape from the authorities and although he was captured again, it is unknown how he escaped and two years later, he appeared in Santa Marta, Colombia, where he again swindled.

Back in South America, Bernio used his photos signing contracts and in the clubs where he passed, to pose as a star of European football. The naivete of the hotel managers helped Bernio avoid spending money. It showed electronic receipts and said that the transaction already made was delayed because it was an international transfer.

The problem came when he refused to pay sex workers with cash and they assaulted him. The police intervened and by checking his background, they became aware of the previous complaints and arrests in Denmark. Because he does not have an arrest warrant, the Colombian police warned that Bernio could regain his freedom.