A private investigator hired by Madeleine McCann's parents has broken his silence after a woman claims she could be the missing girl.
Julia Wendell, from Poland, went viral this week after creating an Instagram account named @iammadeleinemcann. She said she had two major bits of 'evidence' that suggest she isn't who her parents say she is and her suspicions rose when her grandmother 'said something'.
She now wants to take a DNA test as she claims to have a freckle on a leg and a speck in her eye in the same place as Maddie.
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As reported by the Mirror, Julia is 21-years-old but believes her age could be wrong. Maddie was born in May 2003, meaning that she would now be 19.
However, a private detective Francisco Marco, who led the hunt for Maddie in the months after her disappearance, has broken his silence over the unsubstantiated claims.
He told Spanish newspaper El Independiente : "Without knowing the details in depth, it doesn't add up to me. I don't think it's her."
People have taken to social media in recent months as part of a trend to show their likeness to Maddie. The most recent claims, made on TikTok and Instagram, have seen Ms Wendell comparing her photos to those of Maddie as "evidence" that they are the same person.
She also wrote on her Instagram story: "I talked with someone from Madeleine's family and I will have a possibility to talk with Madeleine's parents tomorrow and DNA test will be done soon."
In an updated post published on Friday, Julia claimed to have spoken to someone who was alleged to be Madeleine's cousin and who told her she could "have a possibility" to talk to Kate and Gerry McCann to arrange a DNA test.
These claims have not yet been addressed by Madeleine's family.
Since going viral, Julia has now gained more than 200,000 followers on Instagram. Her bio now says: "I think I can be Madeleine. I need DNA test.
"Police investigators from UK and Poland try to ignore me. I will tell my story in posts here. Help me."
Answering questions she was asked by some followers, Julia explains that she does not remember being taken away but has no recollection of most details of her childhood.
She said: "I don't remember being taken away. I mean, I don't remember almost my entire childhood."
The latest comments come after a source close to the McCanns told the Daily Star Sunday that they are "willing to look at all leads".
They said: "The family are taking no chances, they are willing to look at all leads. It is important they look at all of the factors, the girl does look similar. There’s no disputing that.
"If what she says is true, there is every chance it could be her. It all adds up."
However, German investigators believe Maddie - who disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 - was killed by sex predator Christian Brueckner, who has repeatedly denied having anything to do with the girl's disappearance.
But despite extensive searches and countless police investigations, the youngster's body has never been found.
More than three years since they named Brueckner as their prime suspect, police also appear no closer to charging him, as they do not have enough evidence to prove he is responsible for her disappearance and murder.
The McCanns could not be contacted for comment.
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