Mother pleads for backpacker son Dean Ranieri's return

A mother is desperately appealing for help to find her backpacker son who has not returned from his trip to Europe.

Louisa Fantauzzo said that her son Dean Ranieri, a 21-year-old construction worker from Wallan, was due to return from Brussels on Friday but never arrived. .

He left on a flight to France on May 14. It was his first overseas trip.

An image from the 'Help find Dean Ranieri' Facebook page.

Ms Fantauzzo said police have informed her that her son has not used his credit card since May 16.

Mr Ranieri last posted a comment on his Facebook page on May 18.

He was also expected to visit a friend in the UK, but did not arrive.

Missing backpacker Dean Ranieri. Photo: Supplied

"He's just a fun-loving guy and family orientated … his friends are all missing him and worried about him," Ms Fantauzzo said.

Ms Fantauzzo said her son was usually very reliable and kept in close contact with his family.

"It's out of character that he's not contacting us. He told my younger daughter he would ring us ... and he never did."

Channel Seven reported that Mr Ranieri told his friends he wanted to join the French Foreign Legion.

Ms Fantauzzo said it was possible, as he had wanted to join the Australian military but was not accepted.

"Maybe he wanted to do that but didn't tell anyone about it," she said.

A Facebook page was set up on Thursday night to help find Mr Ranieri.

Ms Fantauzzo said her son loved fitness training and often stayed at home with his family.

Police in France and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are investigating the matter.

A spokeswoman for the department said: "Due to privacy obligations we are unable to provide further details," a spokeswoman said.