Press Review - Week of 15 September 2025

Press Review – Week of 15 September 2025

This week’s press review covers the dismantling of the darknet platform “DFAS” which led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of €600,000 in bitcoins. It also reports on the opening of an investigation by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF) into “ill-gotten gains” involving former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. In addition, the press review discusses the extension of the judicial investigation related to the escape of Mohamed Amra now broadened to include allegations of active corruption of Romanian public officials. Finally, it addresses the opening of an investigation by the Paris public prosecutor into the possible non-disclosure of jewelry by Rachida Dati to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP).

#White collar crime:

Paris: €600,000 in Bitcoin seized following the dismantling of a darknet platform

On 15 September 2025, two individuals were arrested as part of the dismantling of the “Dark French Anti System” (DFAS) platform, active on the darknet since 2017. The two men are suspected of being, respectively, the creator and administrator of the plateform, and the tester of its criminal services. A judicial investigation had been opened for the provision or facilitation of illicit transactions by an organized group, organized money laundering, drug trafficking, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation, led by the DNRED (National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations) and the OFAC (Anti-Cybercrime Office), also resulted in the seizure of €600,000 in bitcoins. > Read article

“Ill-gotten gains”: French investigation opened into former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati

The French National Financial Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed the opening of an investigation targeting Najib Mikati, former Prime Minister of Lebanon, as part of the “ill-gotten gains” case. A complaint was filed in 2024 by the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent Practices in Lebanon and the anti-corruption organization Sherpa. Mikati and his relatives are suspected of having acquired substantial assets through offshore structures, including properties in France. The case file notably mentions a telecom contract and financial links to Bank Audi. > Read article

Escape of Mohamed Amra: a French judicial inquiry opened for attempted bribery of the Romanian police

Mohamed Amra, who had escaped in May 2024 in Normandy, was apprehended in Bucharest on 22 February 2025. On 10 September, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the judicial investigation had been expanded, by a supplementary referral dated 17 June, to include charges of active corruption of a foreign public official . According to an official report from the Romanian authorities, Mohamed Amra allegedly offered the Romanian police between one and two million euros in cryptocurrency in exchange for his release during his arrest. He has not been charged in relation to these facts at this stage. > Read article

Rachida Dati under investigation for “failure to declare” jewelry

The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation following reports that Rachida Dati, the resigning Minister of Culture, allegedly failed to declare jewelry to the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP). The case, assigned to the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade (BFAC), comes as she already faces trial before the Parus Criminal Court alongside Carlos Ghosn for corruption and influence peddling. According to Libération, the undeclared amount totals €420,000; Blast claims €600,000. However, these amounts have been disputed. In her June 2024 declaration to HATVP, Rachida Dati declared approximately filing lists about €5.6 million in assets, with no jewelry, even though items valued over €10,000 must be declared. The HATVP may refer matters to prosecutors if it finds fraudulent intent or a substantial omission. > Read article