By Thomas Morgan in London
Mohamed Al Fayed died in 2023 aged 94. Photo: PAUL ELLIS / AFP
- British police say 146 people are now being treated as victims of late Harrods boss and Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed.
- That is a substantial increase on figures provided in previous updates by the Metropolitan Police.
- Authorities say they are investigating whether any misconduct or corruption was involved in facilitating or enabling Al Fayed's abuse.
British police say at least 146 people are being treated as victims of the late billionaire Harrods boss, Mohamed Al Fayed.
In a statement to the ABC, the Metropolitan Police said it continued to call for more people to come forward with information to help its investigation, which was stood up in November.
It followed reports in the British press of a video update by police, which was sent to victims, in which they said that a number of further witnesses, both men and women, had come forward to give evidence.
Al Fayed, who was a prominent figure in the UK, died in 2023 at the age of 94.
The number of victims linked to the Egyptian billionaire has risen sharply since 21 people first came forward in September with allegations of sexual assault, including five who accused him of rape.
It is also an increase on the last official number of 90 victims disclosed by the Metropolitan Police in November.
The Metropolitan Police opened a new investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed in November last year. Photo: AFP
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the ABC that the "live investigation into those who could have facilitated or enabled Mohamed Al Fayed's offending continues".
"We continue to support all victims and we urge anyone with information, whether they were directly affected by Mohamed Al Fayed's actions or aware of others who may have been involved, or committed offences to come forward."
The Metropolitan Police's investigation is also looking into who may have enabled and facilitated Al Fayed's abuse, and whether there was any misconduct or corruption involved.
The ABC reported in October that at least six Australians were among those accusing Al Fayed.
Harrods is one of London's biggest tourist attractions. Photo: AFP / Ben Stansall
At the time, 421 people had contacted the accusers' legal team, making various allegations about Al Fayed.
Al Fayed owned the prominent Harrods department store, one of London's most popular tourist attractions, between 1985 and 2010.
The store's new owners last year said they had settled civil claims with some of Al Fayed's accusers.
The billionaire was a household name in the UK thanks to his wealth, eccentricity, and connection to Princess Diana.
His son Dodi Al Fayed was killed alongside Princess Diana in a Paris car crash in 1997.
- ABC
