Man claimed he had 55 children

A FRENCHMAN of Senegalese origin has been charged with fraud after making 55 false paternity declarations.

The 54-year-old has admitted being paid about e200 for each one by African women who wanted French residence permits.

The scam was discovered after officials noticed that more than 50 people had their official residence at the man’s house.

It is thought French benefits worth about a million euros have been claimed by the women involved, who have also been charged.