'False' Arab prince inspired by Eddie Murphy's Coming to America

Melbourne, July 25 (ANI): A 'false' Arab prince accused of conning his way around the world with beautiful women and cars is said to be a good actor and originally started his antics as a joke after watching the Eddie Murphy movie Coming to America.

According to The Cairns Post, Abdelkarim Serhani was charged with a 42,000-dollar fraud after allegedly living the high life on Hamilton Island for 16 days and has since been hiding in Cairns hostels.

Serhani claims to be from Saudi Arabian Royal family and became a celebrity through international newspapers - by talking his way into using palaces, Ferraris, limousines and bodyguards.

He also claims to have signed up for a 105,000 dollars contract for a reality television show in Europe, reports News.com.au

Serhani, who's actually a French, was training to be a police officer before studying in Sydney.

He has also been charged with a further 3000-dollar fraud at Airlie Beach and drink-driving.

His passport has been confiscated but the man hasn't been given bail reporting conditions and he is believed to have been staying in Cairns with other French tourists earlier this month, who then contacted police. (ANI)