Ritz hotel raided by French police in Mohamed Al-Fayed trafficking probe

Three properties linked to the late tycoon Mohamed Fayed, including the Ritz Paris, were searched by French police last month amid a trafficking probe.

French police said a number of arrests were made as prosecutors investigate allegations of human trafficking, aggravated pimping by an organised gang and rape.

British investigators were present when raids were carried out at three properties, the prosecutors’ office said.

The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office said its organised crime section has begun a preliminary investigation looking suspected “charges of human trafficking committed in an organised gang, aggravated pimping committed in an organized gang and rape” after “several complaints denouncing in particular sexual abuse allegedly committed by Mr Mohamed Al Fayed”.

A statement from the prosecutors’ office said: “At this stage of the procedure, several victims have been interviewed by French investigators and the investigations are taking place in conjunction with the British authorities.

“In this context, searches and findings were carried out in mid-October 2026, in particular in the Ritz hotel in the first arrondissement of Paris, as well as at the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, former property of Mohamed Al Fayed, and at the Villa Windsor in Paris 16th, in the presence of British investigators.”

Several defendants were placed in police custody and digital equipment was seized during the searches. Investigations are continuing under the direction of the Paris prosecutor’s office.

Campaigners have called for UK police investigating claims against Al Fayed to carry out their own searches.

Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors said all properties in Britain where women alleged they were taken should be scrutinised.

Co-chairs of the group Jen Mills and Lindsay Mason, both former personal assistants to Mohamed Al Fayed, said: “We want to see the same thoroughness applied to every property where survivors say they were taken or abused, including here in Britain.

“The searches in Paris and Saint-Tropez must be the beginning, not the end.”

They added: “Survivors have waited far too long, and what matters now is whether these investigations finally deliver answers, accountability and justice.”

They added: “For decades, survivors have described how young women were recruited and moved between Fayed’s properties, in Britain and overseas.

“We have never believed this was about one man acting alone. Fayed is dead, but many of those who helped him are not, and his death must never become their protection.”

The survivor advocacy group No One Above also believe “this was a network, not one man”.

A spokesman said: “The French authorities have put this in the hands of their specialist trafficking unit and their organised crime prosecutors, and are investigating it as trafficking by an organised gang.”

The Metropolitan Police described the investigation into those who may have facilitated Al Fayed’s offending as “one of the largest and most complex the Met is currently undertaking”.

Seven people have been questioned under caution so far, including four women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s, and three men in their 60s, 70s and 80s.

A police spokesman said: “Seven suspects have so far been interviewed under caution on suspicion of offences including aiding and abetting rape and sexual assault, assisting the commission of sexual offences, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

“Detectives have additionally submitted a full evidential file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision relating to a further suspect, who is alleged of committing two indecent assaults on two women in London.

“To date, 169 victims have now come forward. We will continue to assess victim testimonies for evidence of human trafficking. Where evidence is found, and where we have the victim’s consent to do so, we will make further referrals to the Home Office via the National Referral Mechanism.”