The trial starts in Paris today of a group of men accused of using Skype and a silicone mask to extract millions of euros from the world's rich and famous by impersonating a top French politician.

The victims of those targeted by the fake Jean-Yves Le Drian – who is the current foreign minister but was then in charge of defense, included billionaire spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, who handed over $22 million because of the scam. 

In 2015, the "minister" made calls by telephone and video link to more than 150 targeted individuals, three of whom were successfully deceived into handing over funds sought for a "secret operation," which promised repayment by the French state. The money was often said to be for ransom payments or anti-terror operations.

"I hope that justice will take its course and ensure that these crooks are punished as they should be," the real Le Drian said as he spoke to French media over the weekend. He added that he was "appalled" and "offended" by the abuse of his name and its involvement in the crimes. 

Two Franco-Israeli suspects, Gilbert Chikli, 54, and Anthony Lasarevitsch, 35, are suspected to be the masterminds of the group.    

A French court convicted Chikli in absentia to seven years in prison in 2015 for similar scams in 2005 and 2006, in which he posed at the CEOs of different businesses. 

Two years later, he was arrested in Ukraine alongside Lasarevitsch. While searching their phones, police found pictures of a silicone mask of Prince Albert II of Monaco, suggesting that another hoax was in the early stages of planning and preparation. 

On Tuesday, a total of seven men go on trial. 

Six of the defendants, including Chikli and Lasarevitsch, are charged over both the Le Drian scam and the suspected plot to target Prince Albert, while the seventh is charged solely over the alleged Monaco plot. 

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, was also conned by a Le Drian impersonator in 2016 and made five transfers for a total 20 million euros ($22 million). Despite three of the payments being frozen, 7.7 million euros disappeared. 

Turkish businessman, Inan Kirac, was also persuaded to wire more than $47 million a few months later for what he thought was ransom money for two journalists held hostage in Syria. 

Other figures who were unsuccessfully targeted include Gabon's president Ali Bongo, French AIDs charity Sidaction, the CEO of the Lafarge cement company and the archbishop of Paris. 

The fake Le Drian also attempted to convince the Tunisian government to buy four Airbus Tigre attack helicopters for $21 million. 

Chikli and Lasarevitsch deny the charges. 

But during a French television interview in 2010, discussing previous scams, Chiki said he was intrigued by the "game" of scamming.

"You've either got the gift or you haven't, it's like famous actors. When it comes to me, you can say that I have a gift," said Chikli. 

The 2015 film, Je Compte Sur Vous (I'm Counting on You), is inspired by the real-life story, and features French actor Vincent Elbaz playing the lead role.