World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
French authorities make arrests in Mohamed Al-Fayed trafficking probe
French authorities have made arrests in an investigation into an alleged network linked to Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Police searched the Ritz hotel and Villa Windsor in Paris, as well as Al-Fayed’s former property in Saint-Tropez.
The investigation is looking for alleged accomplices of the late billionaire and his brother, Salah Al-Fayed.
More than 20 women accused Mohamed Al-Fayed of sexual assault, and more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have since come forward to lawyers.
The probe examines alleged human trafficking, rape and related crimes, including claims involving properties in France.
Authorities have held people for questioning and are examining computers, phones and other digital evidence.
The French case is running alongside British proceedings over the wider allegations.
French police searched the Ritz hotel and Villa Windsor in Paris as part of an investigation into a suspected network that allegedly trafficked women for Mohamed Al-Fayed.
The searches took place in mid-October, and authorities also investigated Al-Fayed’s former property in Saint-Tropez.
Individuals were held for questioning, while investigators examined computers, phones and other digital media.
The investigation, opened in 2025, is examining alleged human trafficking, providing prostitutes and rape, and seeking possible accomplices.
More than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers since allegations against Al-Fayed were publicised in 2024.
- Who
- French police and prosecutors are investigating alleged accomplices of Mohamed Al-Fayed and his brother, Salah Al-Fayed.
- What
- Police searched two Paris properties linked to Al-Fayed and held individuals for questioning.
- When
- The searches took place in mid-October 2026; they were reported on November 10.
- Where
- The Ritz and Villa Windsor in Paris, and Al-Fayed’s former property in Saint-Tropez.
- Why
- The investigation concerns a suspected international network that allegedly trafficked women for Al-Fayed and claims of aggravated human trafficking, providing prostitutes and rape.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A BBC documentary and podcast reported allegations of sexual assault against Al-Fayed by more than 20 women.
The Paris prosecutor's office opened an investigation into claims including aggravated human trafficking, providing prostitutes and rape.
French authorities searched the Ritz and Villa Windsor, investigated a former Al-Fayed property in Saint-Tropez and held individuals for questioning.
The searches and investigation were reported by the outlets.
- Paris properties searched
- Ritz hotel and Villa Windsor
- Other property investigated
- Castel Sainte-Thérèse, Saint-Tropez
- Investigation opened
- 2025
- Al-Fayed's age at death
- 94
- Alleged victims or witnesses who came forward
- More than 400
- France complainants interviewed
- At least five
3 sources
What people are saying
We believe that all properties owned by Fayed should be investigated with the same thoroughness as those already searched, wherever they are located, to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is overlooked
France is treating this as organised human trafficking, led by specialists, with properties searched and evidence seized. That is what a serious investigation into a network looks like.
Two years on, survivors are still waiting for the same from the Met. It is time the National Crime Agency took this investigation over.