Q: Messages received after iPhone stolen

HHad my iPhone 6+ stolen in Paris a few weeks ago. Since then I've had a flurry of emails claiming find my iPhone has located it temporarily. I took these to be phishing as they were from gmail emails and had French footers to the email. So today I get another one and try to send expletives in the sign up page of the email and it says that my email and password are incorrect - so now I'm thinking maybe they are genuine?!

ANyone know if this is a thing? Apple on Twitter sent me a link to a website rather than saying yes or no to the messages being from them.

ANy help appreciated.

keith