That he could walk into a situation, claim to be someone he was not, and receive the attention, care, and resources that he was not receiving as himself.

He discovered the power of a false identity to generate a different relationship with the world than the one his real identity provided.

By the time of the Nicholas Barclay case, Bourdin had impersonated missing and abandoned teenagers across multiple European countries.

He had appeared at schools claiming to be a student.

He had turned up at police stations claiming to be a runaway or an abuse victim.

He had moved through social services systems, receiving housing and support intended for vulnerable young people.