Fayed Victims Demand Probe Into Alleged Trafficking Ring Survivors of alleged abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed are demanding police launch a full trafficking investigation, arguing the billionaire's crimes were not the work of one predator but part of a much wider network of enablers. Campaigners say hundreds of women may never see justice unless investigators shift their focus away from individual allegations of sexual abuse and examine what they describe as a sophisticated trafficking operation spanning multiple countries. More Than 400 AllegationsMore than 400 allegations of misconduct have now been made against Fayed, including claims of rape, sexual assault, human trafficking, false imprisonment, drugging and forced abortions. Lawyers representing alleged victims say 421 people have come forward with claims linked to Harrods, the Ritz hotel in Paris, Fulham FC and other businesses once owned by the Egyptian billionaire. Fayed died in 2023 aged 94 without ever facing criminal charges. 'Many Helpers'Members of the survivors' group No One Above argue the focus should no longer be solely on Fayed himself. Instead, they claim investigators should examine the network of employees, security staff and associates who allegedly helped facilitate abuse over decades. One former Harrods employee, using the name Justine, described what she alleged was a systematic operation used to identify, isolate and exploit young women working at the luxury department store. She said attractive female staff were allegedly singled out during visits by Fayed before being summoned to meet him privately. Calls For International InvestigationCampaigners are urging the National Crime Agency to establish an international joint investigation team alongside the Metropolitan Police. Such a move would allow police and prosecutors from multiple countries to examine whether individuals outside Britain helped facilitate or conceal abuse. Survivors argue this is essential because many of the allegations involve overseas locations and international travel. Police Under PressureThe Metropolitan Police is currently investigating 155 alleged victims who have contacted the force directly. Detectives have interviewed four suspects under caution since the inquiry began 18 months ago. At the same time, the Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining how earlier allegations against Fayed were handled by officers. Campaigners and MPs have questioned whether opportunities to investigate the billionaire during his lifetime were missed. 'The True Scale Remains Hidden'Survivors warn that without a trafficking-focused investigation the full extent of what allegedly happened may never be uncovered. They argue that focusing solely on Fayed risks overlooking those who may have enabled, facilitated or protected him over decades. "The true scale of this network isn't going to be seen," one survivor said. For victims still seeking answers, the battle is no longer just about Mohamed Al Fayed — but about whether the system that allegedly surrounded him will ever be fully exposed. SOURCE
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