At least five individuals who experienced sexual abuse linked to former Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed have been officially recognized by the UK Home Office as victims of human trafficking. The cases, confirmed through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), span both international and domestic trafficking, including an instance that reportedly occurred within the Harrods department store itself.

The survivors’ experiences involve varying circumstances of recruitment and exploitation. One person was allegedly recruited under false pretenses for a role within Harrods. Two others initially secured legitimate positions but were later subjected to abuse away from the shop floor. Another individual was employed as a domestic worker for a Fayed family member, having been recruited through a letting agency named Hyde Park Residence.

The incidents date back to the 1990s, with the most recent occurrences reportedly taking place following the sale of Harrods in 2010. All five survivors were referred to the Home Office’s National Referral Mechanism by the charity Unseen UK, which supports victims of modern slavery, and have since received conclusive grounds decisions confirming their status as victims of trafficking.

Details regarding responses from Mohamed al-Fayed or representatives connected to the former Harrods ownership have not been disclosed. The Home Office’s recognition underscores the complexities of human trafficking cases involving high-profile individuals and institutions, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in identifying and supporting survivors of modern slavery.