Collien Fernandes: German Actress Accuses Ex-Husband of Deepfake Abuse
German actress and television presenter Collien Fernandes has filed a criminal complaint against her ex-husband, actor and television host Christian Ulmen, alleging years of digital abuse. The accusations, detailed in an investigation published by the German news magazine Der Spiegel, have sparked a national conversation about digital sexual violence and the legal challenges of prosecuting such offenses.
Fernandes alleges that Ulmen created and operated fake online profiles in her name over a decade, using them to contact men, exchange sexually explicit messages, and even arrange for phone sex encounters, presenting them as if they were with her. According to the complaint, filed in a court in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where the couple previously resided, Ulmen also disseminated pornographic images and videos featuring women resembling Fernandes. “I had my body stolen from me for years,” Fernandes told Der Spiegel.
The case centers on a 40-page legal document outlining accusations of impersonation, defamation, violation of privacy, domestic violence, and threats. Fernandes publicly shared details of the alleged abuse on her Instagram account, describing the experience as a form of “virtual rape” and highlighting the devastating psychological impact.
Ulmen has not publicly addressed the specific allegations. His lawyers have stated they intend to legally challenge the reporting by Der Spiegel, claiming it constitutes improper reporting of suspicion and the dissemination of false information based on a one-sided account. In a statement, the lawyers reportedly conditioned any response on Der Spiegel withholding publication of their comments, a condition the magazine declined to meet, according to Der Spiegel editor Juliane Löffler.
Der Spiegel reported that its investigation involved reviewing weeks of documents, photographs, videos, emails, chat logs, and audio recordings to verify the claims. The magazine’s reporting underscores the complexities of investigating digital abuse, particularly when it involves deepfakes and the creation of fabricated online personas.
The case has drawn attention to the legal gaps in addressing digital sexual violence in Germany. Tagesspiegel reported that it delayed publishing on the story to ensure compliance with press law, which requires particular diligence when reporting unconfirmed allegations and naming a suspect, given the presumption of innocence. The publication noted the demand to thoroughly assess the plausibility of the claims and provide Ulmen with sufficient opportunity to respond to each accusation.
Fernandes, 44, has had a prominent career in German entertainment, beginning as a VJ on MTV Europe in the early 2000s before transitioning to acting and hosting roles in television, and film. She has publicly campaigned against online violence for years, but had not previously revealed her ex-husband as the alleged perpetrator.
As of March 22, 2026, Ulmen has not issued a public statement directly addressing the allegations. The Palma de Mallorca court has not announced a hearing date.