French judicial authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into a sophisticated sex trafficking operation allegedly orchestrated by the late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed and his brother Salah. The probe, initiated last year, examines allegations spanning more than three decades of systematic abuse and exploitation of young female employees across multiple countries.
According to detailed testimonies obtained by AFP, the Al-Fayed brothers operated an elaborate network that targeted vulnerable young women through their luxury enterprises, including the prestigious Harrods department store in London and the Ritz Paris hotel. The investigation, handled by France’s specialized human trafficking unit, has gathered evidence from 154 identified victims who describe patterns of abuse remarkably similar to those employed by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Rachael Louw, a former Harrods employee, provided chilling testimony about her experiences in 1994 when she was sent to Salah Fayed’s yacht on the French Riviera. She described being subjected to invasive medical examinations under the guise of employment requirements, with confidential health information being shared directly with her alleged abusers. “These young women were like meat, and they wanted to know if they were fit to consume,” stated Caroline Joly, a member of the legal team representing victims.
Another accuser, Kristina Svensson, who worked as Mohamed Al-Fayed’s personal assistant at the Ritz Paris, reported regular sexual assaults and attempted rape during her employment. She described being treated as a “luxury product” that Al-Fayed sought to possess, noting that staff at the Ritz warned her about surveillance cameras and microphones throughout the property.
The French investigation gained momentum after victims expressed frustration with the pace of the London Metropolitan Police’s inquiry into allegations spanning 35 years. Many victims cited confidentiality agreements they had signed as preventing them from coming forward earlier, though recent testimonies have encouraged others to break their silence.
Both Mohamed Al-Fayed, who died in 2023 at age 94, and his brother Salah, who passed away in 2010, are accused of creating an environment where wealthy associates could exploit young women with impunity. Despite their deaths, prosecutors continue to investigate the broader network of enablers and facilitators who sustained the alleged trafficking operation.
Harrods has acknowledged the allegations, stating that more than 180 survivors have received counseling support through its independent advocate program. The London Metropolitan Police confirmed their investigation into potential facilitators of Al-Fayed’s alleged offenses remains active, noting significant improvements in how sexual offense cases are handled compared to previous decades.